Undaunted Devotion: You Can Run But . . .

Unlocked. Unreal.

Why on earth would anyone leave their window open?

It’s insane. Irresponsible. Unbelievable. Don’t these people know there are unscrupulous villains lurking about, ready to empty homes of their precious belongings? The owners work hard so thieves can … well, work less hard.

Hazardous, yes. But difficult? Not when the window is left open and there’s no alarm system to be tripped.

Mel scanned the inside of the house. Front door. Back door. Side door. Nope. He was sure. Alarms usually clung to the wall near the front door. Sometimes the back, if that was the main entryway. Besides, if there was an alarm system, he’d be hearing the sirens of his friends. And they’d be nonplussed because he’d have interrupted their late night donut run, and would likely be scraping glaze from their mustaches. Or trying to prevent injury from the coffee they couldn’t get to fit properly in the cup holder.

He crooked his finger and dug beneath he knitted cap on his head. Ugh. Wool. So irritating. Especially on a bald head. Yep. He knew the police well. More important, he knew how to avoid arrest. This was his livelihood, his career.

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Mmm. The thought of donuts and coffee stirred the sleeping lion in his belly. He’d better hurry if he was going to get finished before the neighbors noticed movement so late in the evening. Then donuts would be a healthy treat.

After weeks of observation, he was certain the owners wouldn’t be home until early morning. He’d have time, provided he was smart about his task.

He turned and let his eyes adjust to the gray moonlit room. By the cars he saw come and go from the garage, he felt confident there would be great treasure to be unearthed. Unbuttoning his coveralls, he felt for the corded tie that held a canvas bag securely at his back and pulled. After a few tugs, the bag came crawling from the back of his collar, nearly taking the hat with it.

Ready. He ambled toward the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. Jewels. Those could be hocked easily.

Three steps up, he stopped. Singing?

He glanced around. Returned to the main floor and tiptoed back to the garage. Did someone call in sick? He scrunched his face, turning the door knob, and waited. Hoping the door didn’t squeal too loudly. Ah. Quiet. Sometimes those doors are tattlers, even after a proper oiling. He poked his head around the door and into the dark garage. No windows. It was impossible to see. Maybe if he flicked the light really really fast.

Empty.

Time to return to the job.

He eased the door back into its place then locked it. Or was it unlocked? Oh boy. No matter. There was a job to do. Maybe the owner wouldn’t remember either.

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He inched his way back to the stairs and made his way to the top. The singing, a man, etched a melody in his mind, his lips puckered and the whistling began. Could be, the man was showering and wouldn’t notice Mel there. Regardless, time was more essential than ever if there was a visitor showering. There was only one thing worse than bumping into angry donut-deprived cops: a naked man with an impromptu baseball bat.

The music grew louder near the door at the end of the hall. His palms sweat as he reached out to turn the knob. What if there was someone in there?

He pushed the door open and was assailed by the words, “Oh no, you never let go …”

Mel searched for another door and followed the voice. Soon, the man sang. “I will fear no evil, for my God is with me.” He froze.

My God is with me? If he were paint, he couldn’t have blended with the wall enough to hide. Are you kidding? He closed his eyes, wishing his ears would seal shut also. But in the darkness behind his lids, he could see his mother, hear her voice. “Mel, I pray God will be with you wherever you go.”

How could he forget? His mom’s prayers—always answered. She was probably praying now. That would explain God looking in on him.

He slid down the wall until the floor caught him. “I can’t escape You, can I?”

The voice from somewhere in the room, called out. “This is K-LOVE radio, bringing you the message of God’s everlasting love. Won’t you quit running?”

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Six months later, Mel stood in his church, tears streamed down his cheeks while he told of how he came to turn himself in—the notorious cat-burglar who couldn’t be caught. “I could always elude the police, but there’s no place to hide from God.”

*Psalm 139

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