Principle of the 5th Sparrow

“A person's a person, no matter how small.” – Horton, (Horton Hears a Who)

Theodore Seuss Geisel (1904 – 1991) or more commonly known as Dr. Seuss, is one of the most beloved children’s writers even today. He wrote and illustrated the classics of Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Although he penned himself, “Dr.” Suess, he never fulfilled his dream of earning a doctorate in philosophy of literature at Oxford. Yet, his stories, his parables have endured through the decades not simply because they were silly, tongue twisting escapades, but because there was a positive truth to be discovered. He was an encourager to children reading his books in the school library, as well as, to parents reading to their sleepy children at night. One of his enduring themes is the specialness of you:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” (Happy Birthday to You)

“Thank goodness for all of the things you are not!
Thank goodness you're not something someone forgot,
and left all alone in some punkerish place
like a rusty tin coat hanger hanging in space.
Thats why I say "Duckie!
don't grumble! don't stew!
some critters are much-much,
oh, ever so much-much,
so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”
(Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are)

When we feel down, lonely, disposable, insignificant, and common we withdraw in fear of not mattering. When we feel “unlucky”, we compare ourselves to others in their appearances, their relationships, their cool stuff, their success and we feel as if we don’t measure up. We compensate by being critical of others, by working harder, earning more, buying more, by cosmetics, gym memberships, diets, and even surgeries…all to make us feel that we matter.

We don’t need to compensate for this fear of not mattering, or even Dr. Seuss to remind us how special we are. Jesus encourages us with the principle of the 5th sparrow.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God…. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7

Two sparrows were sold for a penny. Four were purchased for two pennies with the 5th sparrow thrown in for free. God cares about the 5th sparrow - insignificant, disposable, worthless. How much more does God value and care about you as his beloved child. One way to think about it is this question: When you meditate on the crucifixion of Jesus, what does the cross say about how much you matter to God?

So, if you’re feeling like a 5th Sparrow today, “Don’t grumble! don't stew! some critters are much-much, oh, ever so much-much, so muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”