July 1, 2008
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Devil at the Garden Stand
Did that get your attention?! It did mine! Normally, I would want to share a story titled something like, Preaching at the Well, as Eric always seems to come home with a sweet story to share with us after getting us fresh, spring water at the town well and encountering a new friend once they find out what he does for a job (Campus Minister). Seriously! It's amazing what complete strangers will share so intimately with him in regards to their life and belief in God while waiting their turn to fill up their water jugs.
Today, was a bit different in the sense that Eric had a strange encounter at our local garden stand. You see today he met the devil so I'm told. The story he came home to tell me was not very pleasing to say the least considering that my children were exposed to this "devil" and I am a bit puzzled with what to do from here. I thought I would share it with those of you that are Christians and get your diverse thinking on this.
Here is the background...
Eric, Jared (10 yrs old), Chloe (5 yrs old) and Phoebe (5 yrs old) are all putting peas in a bag together. Garden stand owner... let's call him Mr. G for the sake of time and anonymity... starts kidding with the girls saying, "No peas allowed for girls today!" Eric, thinking Mr. G was just trying to find a funny way to relate to the kids, encouraged the girls to go up and ask him, "Excuse me. Can girls get squash today?" The girls did so in the cutest voices I am told. Mr. G replied, "Yes, girls may get squash today, but they may not have peas today because boys rule and girls drool." This is a grown man older than both Eric and I mind you. Anyway, with no prompting at all Jared boldly, yet politely, tells Mr. G, "I don't think boys are better than girls. I think that we are all made in God's image and that we were all made fairly." WOW! This part of the story I am very proud of because Jared knew to be a good example even when an adult was showing that lack of example. My heart is warmed knowing Jared did not take advantage of an opportunity to tease his younger siblings. He showed such maturity to not think of himself above his little sisters! Honestly, this is one example as to why I choose to homeschool and today I got to hear the fruit of my efforts. For that I am thankful to Jesus! I was told Mr. G clearly heard Jared, but chose to ignore him. After paying for their produce Mr. G asked the children, "Want to see my horns?" and proceeded to pull out a red devil's hat with horns, blew a loud horn startling everyone at the garden stand and told the children that he was the devil. Eric moved the children along, got the children into the van and they then privately prayed together for Mr. G before leaving the parking spot.
Now, what would you do or have done AS A CHRISTIAN in this situation? Explain.
1) Confront him on the inappropriateness of his behavior around the children
2) Just quietly walked away and never plan to return
3) Come up with something witty to respond to the "devil" with and shrug it off
4) Use it as a witness opportunity by continuing to engage him right then and there in speaking about salvation and Jesus vs. where the real devil will be spending eternity
5) Come back later with a tract or other Biblical literature
6) Ignore that the entire thing happened, continue to shop at his garden stand and hope that your family can some how be a good witness by your actions.
7) Other ---because there is always another idea out there! Please share! (I tried to come up with different personalities of how typical Christians might react, but I know I didn't hit them all.)
Comments (9)
This is craziness. I think he might be a little mentally ill to behave that way. I mean, joking is funny. Startling people and telling kids that are talking about God that he is the devil seems a bit over the top. I like what Eric did with the kids. I like that he addressed the concerns they may have had about this vendor's inappropriate roll play. I like that they prayed for him before driving off. And I'm not sure what I would do. If this (less than) gentleman were really offending me and/or upsetting my children, I might not go back. But if this all seemed lighthearted and foolish, I might continue to go to the farm stand and use the vendor's antics as a conversation opener to talk about God with my kids. Since I have a stepson who has not been raised in a church background and apparently thinks that God and the devil are brothers (as he enlightened us during a thunderstorm this weekend), I appreciate those opportunities when they come. I also think that you may be on to something in regard to your family being a witness to this strange garden stand man. Obviously, Jared was brave enough to tell him what he really thought. Perhaps Jared's thoughts might get through to this man on another occasion. I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do.
He doesn't sound mentally stable. I would have just left and not gone back. Spiritually . . . I can't say but he was certainly rude and mentally sounds a few peas short of a pod.
I agree with K. He sounds confused & socially backward at best; mentally ill at worst (although he could also be spiritually "dark"). As an aside...it seems like so many people (even older people who should know better) are into "shock value." I don't know if that was his deal or not.
I think opening up dialogue with the kiddos about it was great...b/c if the kids are concerned, then letting them have the floor for their valid feelings is all that's important. I know parents who (though well-meaning), would've hyped the whole thing up & made it seem worse than it probably was, which I think really scares kids needlessly, and also reinforces an idea that they should maybe be afraid of Satan. If the kids are already feeling uncertain & want to talk about it, then the best way to deal with it is just how you all did. That's my opinion.
It's really nice that they prayed for him. I love that angle...it's more "Jesus with skin on" than focusing on condemnation or fear. I like that.
Bringing all our cares to God is important. Your kids have a thoughtful mommy & daddy.
Wow. I think Eric did the right thing, considering he had the kids with him. And then they prayed for this guy in the van before leaving, double Wow! You are teaching your kids some valuable lessons. Personally, if it were me with my kids, we would find a different place to go shopping. In my own experience, this would trouble my boys, and bother them, maybe even frighten them. I'm very impressed with the prayer your family had for him, and I think we would have done the same thing.
that would have totally freaked me out, and probably scared my kids good. What a sad man. I'm not sure what I would have done but I do know that I wouldn't be giving him my business anymore
Eric definitely did the right thing, as did Jared (he deserves an "at-a-boy" for his maturity).
As for Mr. G, I'm going to have to go with either "mentally ill" or "spiritually dark" on this one. There is something seriously wrong there. If you do happen to go back I would suggest not bringing the kids as this may have only been the tip of the iceberg. Jared might learn a lot from the experience but the girls definitely don't need to go back as the man seemed to direct his oddity toward them.
Can't do much about the devil (or people who want to impersonate him!)except as the Bible says, "resist him." In my humble opinion, you "resist" him in this instance by 1)Not giving him credence by going back to the place, 2) Pray that the Lord would rebuke him as in the book of Jude (I always find that the Lord's rebuke is much more powerful than mine), and 3) use this experience as a great teaching tool for the kids in "being aware of the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6).
I personally would continue visiting this garden stand. I agree with what others have said however. Whatever this mans problems are does also not make him less of a human being. I would not take the kids back, but as God-fearing adults, you and Eric may be able to make a difference in this man's life. I truly hope that this man figures out the difference between the Devil and who he is with a hat on.
Wow! I couldn't pick just a couple to comment on because you all were so affirming and had great thoughts for us to pray about! Thank you so much for commenting! Eric pretty much said we won't be taking the kids back there because we are pretty confident he meant it as a spiritual attack on our family and knew exactly what he was doing. I don't think Mr. G has issues mentally as he is very well known here in our town, but I suppose one can never really be sure! We definitely will be praying for him and Eric mentioned that he just may go every once and awhile w/out kids in tow to pick something up just to see if they might strike up a conversation since this episode. It's certainly a hard call! I don't feel we should bless his labor at all with his business when he clearly is going to display outwardly his anti-christian sentiment, but I do agree with Eric that he needs to know the true God that loves him. It certainly was a crazy moment for my kids, but we have had some really good conversations during our family devotions and around the dinner table about it. I am thankful that what the devil meant for evil, God is bringing good to our family. You are right Kimmy that it is experiences like this that can bring great conversations up with children. I completely understand where you are coming from with your stepson too. Cutins I agree with you as well about how parents need to handle the situation when it comes to discussing it. Great insights everyone! =)
teenybopperwithin, you had me in a good chuckle over your pun!!! LOL!!