August 8th

“Even the sparrow finds a home
   and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
   my King and my God.” Psalm 84:3

there, in a forgotten corner
just out of sight of the unobservant,
using a twig, a piece of yarn
and other ordinary findings, a
sparrow, unnoticed, weaves
a sanctuary in the midst of holiness—
a restless, tiny wanderer finding
respite under the eaves of grace,
the wind blocked by the Spirit’s hands
lifted in prayer, perhaps.
and, in that corner, in that nest,
perhaps we can realize that
there is space for us, not
a golden ballroom but grace
soft as dust, a gentle cradle
where we can rest weary souls
and, as the sparrow sings her lullaby
we discover that you offer
a song composed just for us.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman