Fallen Sparrows

If you’re going to care about the fall of the sparrow, you can’t pick and choose who is going to be the sparrow.

–Madeleine L’Engle

“So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows.”

–Matthew 10:31 (NLT)

Charlie Brown, the comic strip character identified with the underdog, probably because he always felt like one. In one scene he was building a birdhouse when the cynical Lucy came by. “I’m building it for sparrows,” Charlie told her.

“For sparrows? Lucy said, “Nobody builds birdhouses for sparrows.”

“I do,” replied Charlie Brown. “I always stick up for the underbird.”

Matthew 25:40 tells us that when we do something kind and good to the least, we are doing it directly to Christ. At times, Christians often overlook the “sparrows,” the little people in their worlds. Ignoring those they view as less valuable (for whatever reason).

I have to admit—sadly—that the prisons are jam-packed full of these less valuable (sparrows).

The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is far too real for many men behind the walls. However, every so often there is a Charlie Brown out there sticking up for the underbird (or better said, under jailbird). Okay.., bad joke).

My goal is not to shine light upon the sparrows that crowd the prisons. No, I’ve done that time and time again in my past reports. What I want to do today is shine the spotlight behind the curtains, to help reveal a Charlie Brown that has been such a great pillar in my life.

Since the passing of my first mentor Marshall Mickley, Brother Mark has been the godly man that has kept me honest and on track.

Speaker Ernest Blevins once said, “The best exercise for strengthening the heart is reaching down and lifting people up.” Well, Mark must have an awesome muscular heart, because time and time again he has reached down to pick this fallen sparrow up.

Lately, for example, Bryan and I have been faced with trying circumstances. And with each dip and turn on our roller-coaster ride, Mark (our Charlie Brown) has been there, as if on the ride with us, caring for our bumps and refreshing our wounds. Yet allowing the Lord to heal the scars per His time. Never has Mark given up on us…even when our sparrow wings have grown tired of flapping against the grand forceful winds (winds of legalistic red tape).

No words in my thesaurus could even begin to paint the gratitude that dwells within my heart, for what Mark means to my life. He has been a friend, father, Christian brother, teacher and even my sounding board. Each role he has played has allowed me to spread my sparrow wings; encouraging me to fly once again. Thank you, Mark.

To those reading this article, Truth Frees Us is because of the hard work Mark puts in—day in and day out. The helm of this ministry has been Mark and his love to reach down and help pick up the fallen sparrows of this society—one at a time. Many a time, I have received letters letting me know how my life has touched theirs (through the updates) and how through Truth Frees Us they have been able to re-find hope and courage.

However, my friends, I would have no soap box to stand on and express my voice if not for Truth Frees Us—the brain child of Mark. If not for Mark, Bryan and I would still be simple fallen sparrows, warehoused in a prison, without a platform. So please—I beg—help me thank Mark for his leadership. The leadership that has not just impacted my life, but the lives of many other fallen sparrows, too.

…Rejoicing over the many roles Mark has played in my life…straight from Adrian’s cell.

The measure of a man is not how great his faith is but how great his love is (see 1 Corinthians 13:13).

© 2015 Friends of Adrian.

Many of you have been asking when Adrian’s book would be available. That time has come. The Walls Talk is the first compilation of Adrian’s updates over the years. It can be purchased online from Amazon.com and other dealers. ISBN number is 1495391000.