Supposedly this is a true story but the source has been lost or misplaced. Could it have been one of those “Paul Harvey” stories? It is reported to have been written up in a small town newspaper.

     There was a burglar who was casing the homes in one particular neighborhood, trying to find his next target. He especially was looking for houses that would be left unguarded by people leaving for vacation. He slowly cruised until he saw a  family loading their suitcases and goodies into their family van. He parked a block away and watched until everything had been loaded and the van packed with kids and luggage pulled out of the drive.

     He left and returned after dark and approached the front door and rang the bell. Of course there was no answer, but he was just checking. Then the burglar neatly picked the lock and let himself in. He called into the darkness, “Is anybody home?”

     He was absolutely stunned when he heard a voice reply, “I see you and Jesus sees you.”

     Terrified, the burglar called back, “Who’s there?”

     Again the voice came back, “I see you and Jesus sees you.”

     Deciding to not run so quickly, the burglar switched on his flashlight and aimed it in the    direction of the voice. To his great relief, his light revealed a caged parrot reciting the refrain, again, “I see you and Jesus sees you.” The burglar laughed our loud. “I see you and Jesus sees you.”

     The burglar heaved a sigh of relief, his heart slowed down, he caught his breath. Then the burglar reached over and switched on the light. THEN he saw it! Beneath the parrot’s cage was a huge Doberman Pincher, mouth open, softly growling.

     Then the parrot said, “Attack, Jesus, attack!”

     The story was revealed by the burglar himself from the emergency room of the local  hospital where extensive stitches were used to close up the many wounds.

     We chuckle and think of the poetic justice meted out, “Serves him right!” Funny, yes but there is a truth here, too. At all times we are being observed by others, yes; but even more closely by God. Even the darkness can’t hide us from His omniscience. Sobering, thought provoking, and it makes you think. Not only are we being observed, but we will be asked, someday,  to give an account of how we have lived this life.

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your    presence? If I go up to the    heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”  Psalm 139:7-8