His Eye Is On The Sparrow (a giveaway)

I love the chorus of birds chirping in spring. I love how their voices come alive after a winter of silence.

I love hearing and singing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."  I love the melody.  I love the comfort in the lyrics.  I love the truth that this hymn sings forth. 

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I love the words of Scripture.  I love how God has promised to hold us in His hand and never let us fall.  I love how He promises that He will not forsake us. 

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.  Matthew 10: 29-31 NIV

And I love the book by Linda Nichols's book, Not A Sparrow Falls.  It is one of the rare books that I've taken the time to read twice.  It is such a beautiful story of redemption.

There is redemption for Bridie, a young woman who has made wrong choices, taken wrong paths, and feels as though she is too far gone for forgiveness.  There is redemption for Samantha, the child who has lost her mother and experiences confusion without her.  There is redemption for Alastair, father and minister, who has lost his wife and lost his way. 

Bridie is running from a dangerous situation of her own making and craving a feeling safety.  When her path crosses with Samantha's, a young girl looking for safety of the emotional kind, the two form a timid friendship.  But how does Alastair, a man who is just as floundering (but doesn't know it), play into their quest for a guiding hand?  As their stories proceed and twist into one another, it is beautiful to watch the characters build each other up while still struggling to find redemption of their own.

This is not a sappy story that attempts to put a happy face on tough problems.  It is a moving story of real life and real consequences and the hope that God brings despite the pain.  Having read the book several years ago, I was excited to see it come out in re-issue.  I found myself reading snippets between tasks...slipping in a chapter at naptime...rocking Benjamin before bed and reading a few more lines.  It is that good...and I'm pleased to offer a copy to one of my readers. 

*****

There are four ways to earn an entry.  You may do one or two or all!

• Earn 1 entry by leaving a comment with the name of a favorite book.
• Earn 1 entry by leaving a comment with the name of a favorite hymn.
• Earn 1 entry by blogging about this contest. Don't forget to leave a separate comment with the link to your post.
• Earn 1 entry by sharing this contest with your Facebook or Twitter friends. Again, be sure to leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

Giveaway ends Friday, April 30 at 9 pm ET. Open to U.S. readers only.