"The Case of the Assault With a Garden Hose!"

By Vickie G. Paver

The other day I was watching "Judge Judy." One of the cases she was hearing was "The Case of the Assault With a Garden Hose." The plaintiff in the case, a middle-aged woman, stopped by a home to take the census. The gentleman, the homeowner and defendant in the case, greeted her at the door and told her to get off his property. "NOW!" He said. He told her that she should leave immediately and used a few expletives to reinforce that he meant business. The plaintiff then started to fill out an "I'm sorry we missed you" form to leave on the porch of the man's home. The man in turn continued his rudeness and picked up his garden hose and sprayed her. This was extremely humiliating to the woman, who was only trying to do her job. Judge Judy decided that the man reacted inappropriately and fined him one thousand dollars payable to the plaintiff.

As I watched this case unfold, I wondered what the lady could have done, if anything, to diffuse the situation. I wondered how I would have reacted. The man did admit the dastardly deed. Perhaps she could have walked away without filling out the "I'm sorry we missed you form," and mailed the form instead. I say possibly because I have not walked in her shoes and could not say for sure how I would have reacted! Maybe---I would have grabbed the hose and sprayed him back! Grin…

Like in this case, we all have been on the receiving end of someone else's unhappiness. Our walk in this earthly life holds many good things, but also holds many hurtful things. It certainly isn't right when someone misuses, berates, or humiliates us. However, I believe that a kind word or deed accomplishes much more than judgment or revenge in most cases. None of us are perfect, but we can gain life lessons from other peoples experiences...and so ends "The Case of the Assault With a Garden Hose."

Matthew 5: 38, 44, 45 38 "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

Treasure Hunter © 1999-2003---All Rights Reserved

~ Christian Counter keeps a total of page views for the whole website ~