Bobbie’s Song

For more than 18 months, my friend Bobbie (with whom I wrote and recorded “Hymns for a Kid’s Heart”) has been in a fierce battle against ovarian cancer. God has kept her spirits upbeat as she sings hymns through every phase of the fight. Bobbie is in a clinical trial for a new chemo treatment (which has nasty side effects); but she and her husband Robert are still able to take strolls around their neighborhood – recently on a walk, they were surprised by a happy chorus of hundreds of birds perched up on a high wire, singing their hearts out. Bobbie decided to take their lead, and the following gospel song became her anthem…

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, my constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; 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.

Inspired by the singing birds, Bobbie headed to her art easel and painted a bird choir. The following week, her painting made its rounds at her chemo clinic. My friend may be in the midst of a brutal battle for her life, but she is thinking of, praying for, serving, and inspiring others. She is a fine example of Ephesians 5: 19-20, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And she reminds me to do the same. Should the Spirit nudge you, please pray that this trial-infusion will push back all her cancer into remission! And a quick PS – did you know that Ethel Waters made “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” famous? If you want a treat, watch this clip from a 1975 Billy Graham Crusade of Ethel Waters singing her theme song.