Can’t We All Just Get Along?

When people’s lives please the LORD,
even their enemies are at peace with them.

“NO, MA’AM!” Christina yelled, as she walked into the family room. Their beagle, Angie, was biting the family cat, Callie. “We do not eat our friends!”

Christina tightly held Angie by the collar as Callie bolted down the hall. Angie lunged, clearly wanting to give chase.

“Oh no you don’t, missy,” Christina chastised. “You are going to leave that cat alone and be nice!”

Ever since the family had adopted the sweet-natured cat in need of a home, their beagle had become obsessed with getting rid of her. Angie barked at Callie, chased her, stole her food, grabbed her by the neck, and had recently begun chewing Callie’s tail while the poor cat hissed and scratched in protest. Christina was done with Angie’s behavior. Surely, a dog and a cat could share a home peacefully.

It was time to begin training Angie in earnest. Christina taught her the “leave it” command—which applied to the cat, her food, and the litter box. She also taught Angie to lie on a particular cushion in the family room on the opposite side of the room from the cat’s bed. In addition to rewarding Angie when she responded to the new commands, Christina also gave her a piece of kibble every time the cat entered a room, training Angie to run to her human instead of the cat.

“Good girl, Angie!” Christina praised her dog one morning, several weeks into their new training. Angie had walked right by a sleeping Callie, without so much as a sniff in her direction. And the night before, when the family had piled on the sofa to watch a movie together, Angie had curled up with Christina’s daughter, Lindsey, while Callie had snuggled with her sons, Evan and Sam.

After rewarding Angie for her good behavior, Christina walked into the kitchen to pour herself a cup of French roast coffee, relishing a few tranquil moments. She inhaled the aroma of her coffee and soaked in the peaceful morning.

“Mom!” Lindsey shouted from upstairs. “Evan won’t get out of the bathroom, and I have to get ready!”

Christina heard her daughter pounding on the door.

“I’m not done! Hold your horses!” Evan yelled through the door.

More pounding.

Christina smiled at Angie and Callie, now lying next to each other and looking perfectly content.

Wonder if treats would work with my kids too? she thought with a sigh.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Living peacefully with Callie did not come naturally for Angie, the beagle. It required training. How might this truth apply to your life? How can you train yourself to better hear God’s voice and obey his commands? Is there someone you are struggling to get along with? Ask for God’s help to find a peaceful solution.

Paws & Pray

Lord, train me to hear your voice and obey your commands. I realize that humility and sacrifice are essential qualities for living a life of peace, but they do not come naturally to me. Help me live in a way that pleases you. Let your peace fill me and then be extended to those around me.