Minx and I have a tense relationship. In fairness to this cat, he was conditioned from an early age that I was the discipliner of the family. Any infraction brought a face spray of water. As a result, Minx often takes any interaction with me as an excuse to growl, snarl, or bite.
Minx and his sister, Tasha, get extremely upset when other cats intrude on their space. Both of them will stand their ground, however Tasha will give in after a period of time. Not Minx! He will take any cat or animal on, and stand firm, snarling and making noises that only cats know how to twist from their vocal cords. Confrontation is just that; war without logic or end.
Last night we woke to an ongoing, unending confrontation between Minx and another cat that happened to be exploring at night in the yard Minx believes is his own. The stand-off eventually became loud enough that Cherry went out on the prowl to break it up. As Minx came in the emotions were still flowing through his 18 pound body.
Given our past relationship, I let him stew. When he initially wanted the spot at my feet to sleep, I encouraged him to move. He walked around the room and came back again. I encouraged a new position yet again. He took a bathroom break and came back for the third time. I encouraged more exploring. He growled again and paced the room.
“The hotheaded do things they’ll later regret; the coldhearted get the cold shoulder.” (Proverbs 14.17)
He came back the forth time and snuggled at my feet. Regardless of our past, it was time to let things go. Sleep and Minx quickly came together.
God’s approach is extremely different. God stands beside us even when we defend senseless boundaries. God loves us, even when we strike out at him. God always welcomes us, even when we try to use Him. God knows us inside and out; loves us totally with this knowledge.
God’s model vs. the one set by Minx and me?
