The man could not be sure how Moses got the gash in his head, but knowing cats as he did, he suspected that Moses had fought with another cat during the night. And being acquainted as he was with Moses, he could clearly picture the fight in his mind: Moses is patrolling the backyard when the big yellow tom emerges from the shadows. Tom fixes upon Moses an icy stare. Moses glares and arches his back. Tom hisses. Moses yowls. The two cats spend several minutes circling, posturing, and seeing which one can produce the most terrifying sounds. When Moses judges himself at an advantage, he lashes out with unsheathed claws and a vicious scream. Tom leaps to retaliate, and the two cats merge into a screeching, clawing, fur-flying fray.  

In some ways, human nature is not so very much different from cat nature. Our troubles often begin when we claim a territory and begin patrolling it. Our territory could be our reputation, our image, our realm of influence, our finances, or our personal liberty. Confrontation happens when we feel someone is invading our territory. Conflict escalates when we quarrel, try to outdo one another, and strive for the advantage.  

King Solomon observed that a soft answer turns away wrath. Jesus pronounced a blessing on peacemakers. Followers of Jesus love peace, and much trouble is averted by following the way of nonresistance. Moses and Tom must suffer the consequences of following the cat nature; but we know better, and we are blessed as we follow the Bible way. 

When people, like cats, start to bite and to scratch, 
Their conduct will never with the Bible way match. 

From Paws on My Porch, by Gary Miller
© 2015 TGS International, PO Box 355, Berlin, Ohio 44610 
Used by permission