As I drove in my driveway this morning, I saw three squirrels chasing each other and making lots of chattering noises.  Two of the squirrels were ganging up on the other.  They were biting at him and pulling fur from his tail.  They got him cornered in my flowerbed and really scolded him about something.  All the while they were watching me, but didn’t seem to care that I was watching them.  The poor little guy had no where to go.  He ran up the tree, but they followed and knocked him to the ground.

     Soon there were six squirrels, all chasing the little guy.  They ran all around my back yard and across the street, up and down the tree several times.  It was quite amusing to see this string of squirrels chasing each other.  Of course,  I’m sure it wasn’t amusing to the little guy who was the subject of all their aggression.

     This drama reminded me of how often people seem to gang up on the weaker ones or those who are different in some way.   Bullying is quite a problem these days.  Even in the church, a place meant to be a safe haven, we find this kind of behavior.  It has been said that the army of God is the only army in the world that stands by and allows their wounded to die.  How sad to think of that. This is sad, but often true.  When a brother or sister in the Lord gets hurt or offended, we just ignore them.  We don’t seem to realize that thier pain is real and sometimes a compasionate touch or understanding ear can easily bring them back to the fold.

     In Matthew 5:9 we are told, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”  I want to be a peacemaker. 

      Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  Now that can be a challenge for sure.  Some people just rub us the wrong way.  They always have to be right. They have all the answers.  Their ministry is far more important than anyone elses.  Or they might just be quiet and insecure, an easy target for super Christians.  Instead of loving and encouraging these people, too often we gossip and critisize.

     We all know someone on either the giving or receiving end of this kind of behavior.  Let’s do our best to live in peace with all men and help others to do the same.   Peace is far better than war, whether we are squirrels or people.