Did you notice?

Yesterday morning my attention was suddenly captured by what had to be the largest humming bird I have ever seen.

Seeing the creature wasn’t a surprise, but what was surprising was that I actually noticed the bird.

I’m not a “bird person.” For some reason, I’ve just never taken an interest in birds. I know some people who are “birders” and can spend an entire day bird watching. On occasion, when I really focus on the little creatures, I can find them fascinating. But I’ve never really been inclined to spend any time looking for, or at them.

Realizing this made me think of how we take notice of the people around us. We give our attention to certain persons we value — family, friends, associates — but most of the other people around us simply flutter in the background, not gaining our attention or interest. Kind of like humming birds we never see.

What’s interesting is how differently God sees both birds and people than we do.

Take, for example, the sparrow, considered one of the most “basic” or simple of birds. Look at how God sees them: “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it” (Matthew 10:29).

Wow! Not even a sparrow escapes the attention of God! He cares for even the simplest of birds! But look closely at the next two verses in that same passage, and see how God looks at His human creation: “30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Matthew 10:30-31).

To number the “hairs on a head” (of which the average person has about 100,000) is to take intense interest. God has shown how intensely He cares for us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for us. But He doesn’t limit His care to humanity, it extends even to the littlest sparrow.

How are you at noticing the people who flutter in the background of your life? People like the guy who bags your groceries, the person who takes your toll at a toll booth, the cashier at the 7-11? Are these “extras” in life that you really never notice, or do you take time to find them as valuable as anyone else?

When I took time yesterday to watch that large humming bird, I realized I was seeing a thing of fascinating beauty. How much more so when we see the people all around us, created in God’s image, all of whom God sacrificed for.

Scotty