His eye is on the sparrow

This week in church Pastor Jeff spoke about the story behind a hymn called "It is well". The man who wrote the song lost his 4 daughters in a tragic event. Before he lost his daughters, he also lost a son to scarlet fever and his real estate to the great Chicago fire. He wrote the lyrics to "It is well" at the approximate spot where his daughters drowned. The message from Pastor Jeff was inspirational and I recommend that you watch it here.

But this post is not about "It is Well"...it is about one of my favorite hymns, "His eye is on the sparrow". This hymn was wrote by a woman named Civilla D. Martin in 1905. During that time, Civilla and her husband became close friends with another couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle who Civilla calls "true saints of God". Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 years and her husband was an incurable crippled but still conducted business in his wheelchair. Everyone who knew the Doolittle's knew them as people who were always happy and hopeful and brought comfort and inspiration to others. When Civilla asked Mrs. Doolittle what their secret is to being so hopeful and happy despite their inabilities, she answered, "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me", and refers to Matthew 6:29. Civilla called this statement a "simple and beautiful expression of boundless faith" and was inspired to write the hymn, "His eye is on the sparrow".

The lyrics are:
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me

I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me (He watches me) / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches / I know He watches / I know He watches me

My favorite version by far is done by Tanya Blount and Lauryn Hill. I love this song.
Click here to listen to my favorite version...it's awesome.