I'm sure, like me, you are thrilled that the un-named Kestrel recently accused of being an Israeli spy has been cleared of all charges by the Turkish authorities! Like me, you may have been enjoying the many other stories of animal spies across the centuries that have made the press as a result (notwithstanding the tinge of ethical uneasiness that comes with such tales ... or should that be tails?). I think my particular favourite has to be "acoustic kitty" - the feline listening device developed by the CIA in the 1960s, sadly run over by a passing car just moments after beginning its security mission. That was 10 million dollars well spent then!
Maybe it's largely because I own pets that seem to have the necessary steely qualities for covert espionage but the recent headlines have had me thinking. What if my pets really could relay my words to a higher power?
To reassure you about my sanity for a moment - I don't actually think they can convey my musings - but what if they could ... ?
When a friend or neighbour is in the room, I moderate my language. It doesn't matter who they are, they always have some impact on my behaviour. Mostly, their presence causes me to exercise more self-control, more discernment, more wisdom. But when I'm on my own - or with someone very close to me - I'm plain old me. What's in my heart comes out of my mouth with little, if any, censoring. If someone could play back what my cats hear, would I hold my head up high? Or would it cause me to crumple in shame?
How about you?
Of course, we are never truly alone. Nothing we say is private. There is always someone listening. Not in a hostile power kind of way but as a loving Father. He has searched us and knows us ... he perceives even our thoughts from afar and is familiar with all our ways (Psalm 139:2-3).
It's worth remembering that as we speak. Even when we're, humanly speaking, on our own or just with our nearest and dearest. Far away from the gaze of others, we still have a choice every moment of every day: a choice about whether to honour God with our lips or dishonour him. And that's a choice that matters. It matters to God. And it should matter to us too.
