Like the sparrow...

Not a Bible verse as such but inspired by the beautiful teachings of Jesus, this old hymn has been playing softly in the background of my thoughts these past few days.

The knowing, a very deep knowing, that God was with us through some stressful days and nights of rain and flood these past couple of weeks, is also never far from my mind. 

Gratitude swells like a wave and at times brings me to my knees. 

Did we come away unscathed by the monsoon - no. There's repairs which have been done and more yet to do, but we are fine, we are blessed, and we have deep assurance that God's hand was upon us way before we even moved into our home in September last year. 

Physically we are very tired and sore, but spiritually we are alive and overcome with joy. 

I had these little bird shapes cut out to applique over three years ago but never got around to using them on anything (despite my plans for a tea towel at the time) and as I was clearing away water damaged items from the sewing room on Friday I came across them sealed tight in a clear zippered case. The threads were in the case as well and the shapes had already been fused to the check fabric. 

That's just like God, don't you think?

He puts a song in my heart as a reminder of how He watches over us and then leads me to a simple set of brightly coloured sparrows to stitch during the rest times between cleaning. 

Such simplicity in His love. 

Never doubt it.

If you'd like to sew some sweet sparrows the free pattern sheet is here. 

I'm hoping to slip back into ordinary blogging life next week and resume our book study on Tuesday. 

We've scrubbed through almost 20 litres of vinegar and a bottle of clove oil, have filled the trailer twice with items for the rubbish tip, secured a tarpaulin over the missing ceiling, ripped up our bedroom and Mr E's study carpet, thrown away curtains from three rooms which were riddled with mould as well as some handmade items of mine which were also found to be growing.

Floors, walls, our dining chairs, the outdoor couches - black mould over them. The coffee table and bedroom side table which Mr E made for us while at university were green. 

Some things we can save and some we cannot. 

But they are just 'things' and apart from a few minor health reactions afterwards we ourselves are doing very well. 

You know, I'm very proud to be living in this town. The people just get on with what needs to be done and in the midst of such an awful experience which will be felt for months to come they will find something to laugh about and ask if you need a hand. I don't think Mr E and I have ever met and talked to so many strangers in all our life. Crisis either draws people together or tears them apart. What I have seen most of in Townsville through this is the pulling together of neighbours, strangers, communities and family. 

Mr E's school and most other schools in our town are still closed due to extensive flood damage. He, along with other teachers, will return to school on Monday and begin working on whatever areas they can in preparation for resuming lessons when buildings are safe enough for students to return. 

Please continue to pray for those in Townsville and surrounding areas who have lost their homes, contents or livelihood as a result of the monsoonal floods which are now being declared a one-in-500 year catastrophe. 

His eye is on the sparrow,

and even more so upon you.

Hugs