The Milkman's gift

Do you remember that childhood chant about "sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me." In recent years there have been youtube clips and reports of teenagers being bullied and taunted beyond their ability to cope.  We have topics in schools to assist children to become aware of what is happening and to tell others about it.

The other story that I've heard in how a town in America had the worst teenage crime and suicide rates in the country and a old farmer suggested at the town's meeting over the problem that the people got to know the teenagers in town by name and talk to them.  An amazing thing happened, crime and suicide rates went down.  Just because someone took the time to say hello and know them personally.

The other thing I remember about how words have an effect on people and also others is from the song I use to sing in either kindergarten or primary level  was 

"O be careful little lips what you say, for your father up in heaven is looking down in love, O be careful little lips what you say."

The story following this chat is one of those stories.  It gave a little girl belief in herself, a dream and a goal to reach for later in her life.

Cheryl Prewitt 1980

When Cheryl Prewitt was 4 yrs. old, she hung around her father's small country grocery store.  Almost daily, the milkman would come into the store and free her with the words, "How's my little Miss America?"

At first she giggled, but eventually she became comfortable with it ... and even liked it a little.  Soon the milkman's greeting became a childhood fantasy.. then a teenage dream.  Finally, it became a goal.. and in 1980, she stood on a stage in Atlantic City and was crowned ... Miss America.

You will never know what words or phrases that you use can set some one on a path.  It can can be a starter for a dream or a goal or it can lead them to be destructive (emotionally or physically).  Words are a powerful source.  The pen is mightier than the sword.


(Rice, W. (1995).  More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks.  Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids. (p. 120).

Plant Your Garden Today

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, 

reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: 

for it is time to seek the LORD, 

till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 10:11-13 (KJV)

Spring is now here and I always enjoy watching the new leaves come out from the trees and also all the flowers that are on the trees.  But spare some throughout for your vegetable garden.  A good time to plant for a summer crop or for a Autumn Harvest.

Fresh vine ripened tomatoes, and lettuce etc for your salads.  (There is something to be said about taste and smell).  The school chaplain where I work added this to our school newsletter.  I wanted to share it with you.

First, plant three rows of peas.

Patience, 

Promptness, and 

Prayer.

Next, plant three rows of squash.

Squash gossip, 

Squash indifference, 

Squash criticism.

Then, five rows of lettuce.

Let us obey the Lord.

Let us be loyal.

Let us be true to our obligations.

Let us be unselfish.

Finish with four rows of turnip.

Turn up when needed.

Turn up with a smile.

Turn up with a vision.

Turn up with determination.

-Author Unknown