Sparrows and Tree Frogs

Matthew 10: 26-30

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

You probably don't spend much time thinking about tree frogs.

Around our house, tree frogs are often the topic of conversation.

Last September, we brought Fanno home from Grandma and Grandpa's back yard in Dallas, OR. Fanno was Noah's pet but all of us were connected to this little frog. We developed a makeshift habitat for him (or her... we really weren't ever sure). We would search for insects and spiders and provide Fanno a feast. Even as the insects became few in the winter months, we would buy crickets from the pet store. We were all sad when we returned home from vacation last month to find Fanno's habitat empty.

In an effort of "life goes on," we journeyed to the pet store. Although we didn't come home with another frog, we did acquire a froggy condo. The new terrarium has an artificial bark wall, a front glass door that swings out (more secure), waterfall and built in filter. The clerk at the store even said "that's one lucky tree frog."
On the way home we put a call into Grandma and Grandpa to see what they could find. A few hours later the habitat was arranged and complete and we welcomed "Lisa" a small, mostly brown speckled Pacific tree frog, and "Bart" a slightly larger, bright green Pacific tree frog.

Last week, while playing on the back porch, we moved a bin to find a much larger tree frog (about 2 times the size of Bart). He was a stellar, bright green with dark brown stripes. His name - Homer Simpson, of course! He moved in and the search for frog food is again a high priority. We need to acquire approximately 10-12 spiders or insects every 2 days.

Noah actually took these pictures himself (not bad!) We don't have a pic of Homer yet.

Tonight, as the kids were getting into PJs, Shane looked into the terrarium and was unable to find Lisa. He was worried because earlier in the evening, he had come into the room to see our 2 and 4 year olds opening the door (which they aren't supposed to be doing). He spent 15 minutes or more, moving rocks hoping to see Lisa. He was convinced that she was gone. He had looked in every possible corner, nook and cranny.

"Well, let's get to bed, maybe she'll show up in the morning."

Kisses, prayers and good nights... 30 seconds later, Noah has erupted into tears. He is beside himself, he's so sensitive, he cares for these pets. So we talk about how God will take care of Lisa, if she got out, God will take care of her and help her get outside where she can live better, or maybe she'll miraculously appear again in the morning. We prayed, asked for God's covering and protection for this little creature, and we asked that God give Noah peace to rest well and trust in Him to take care of her. As I was leaving the room, I thought I'd take one quick look. I flipped on the light and there she was! All three of them on the bark wall. Shane asked where she was, my response, "in the hand of God, clearly!"

If God cares this much for a tree frog, how much does he care for us? I'm so grateful for God's infinite wisdom in His Creation and am so privileged to be a part of it.