I received a foreclosure assignment in a better part of town. The house had been in foreclosure for a while, with weeds growing tall in the yard and the paint peeling off in patches. As I was inspecting the property, the adjacent neighbor stormed over, her face flushed with anger.

With no hesitation, she launched into me as soon as I got out of my truck. “You need to put boards up between our properties!” she demanded. “Your side has rats, and you need to stop them from coming on my side.”

I tried to explain, keeping my voice calm. “I am really sorry, but boards won’t stop rats. They can squeeze through small spaces and climb over boards. Maybe we can both set some traps.”

She wasn’t having it. She went and got her husband and started shouting, calling me every name in the book. When they finally realized that I was not going to install any boards, they stormed back to their house, slamming the door behind them. 

When I next visited the property for my weekly inspection, I saw the neighborhood children playing ball in the street. I was heartbroken when they began calling me names as I drove by – the same names they had heard the neighbors call me.

Determined to show the children that I was not a bad guy, I went to the office and got some coloring books and crayons we always have on hand. I went back and held out the books and crayons. “Hey, guys. I hope you have fun with these.” Their eyes lit up as they took the gifts. “Thank you, Auntie!” I felt better. 

The following day, it rained heavily. Concerned about the condition of the foreclosure, I headed over to check if the rain was getting in. As I approached, my heart sank. The coloring books I had given the children were strewn across the yard, soaked and ruined by the downpour.

🔑 Children are always watching what we say and do.