PRAYERS AND POEMS FOR SCOUTS

The following poem was reprinted in the Chippewa Valley Council leaders paper after being found in a December 1961 Blue Hills District Newsletter that was on rec.scouting.usa newsgroup.

I love my children, I'm telling you,
And I know there's a lot of work to do,
In Scouts and Brownies and PTA,
But frankly, I just can't get away.

At the end of day, I'm tired you know,
Just want to go out and see a show,
Or watch TV or play some bridge,
Just to darned tired to mess with kids.

And speaking of kids, you know that crime,
Is on the increase all the time?
They ought to do something, maybe at school.
To teach the kids to respect a rule.

Or perhaps the church should do more good,
And teach them to act the way they should.
I can't understand why they act that way,
Something's wrong somewhere I'd venture to say.

I send my kids to Scouts and such,
But it really doesn't help to much;
They don't appreciate good things at all,
I used to be a Scout when I was small.

They need more volunteers you say?
Must be plenty around - must be some way,
To interest parents in worthwhile work,
That's something no one has a right to shirk.

Well, I hope they find someone, I'm telling you.
My kids need a leader they can look up to.
They need someone to direct their play.
It's really a shame I can't get away.

For the gifts of food and freedom
and the hills to roam,
For crimson sunsets
and the earth our home,
For the stars at night
and the gentle winds in trees
we thank you great spirit for all these.
Amen.

Webelos are learning many things in preparing to become Boy Scouts. The following would be an excellent ceremony for the Blue and Gold in February. I put it in this month so Leaders could work on it early with their Webelos.

John Wayne: What the Scout Law means to me
Greater St. Louis Area Council

A great American, John Wayne, passed away many years ago. One of his last public appearances was at a dinner. He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death. The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp. At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual, he said the twelve points of the Scout Law are "nice words". "Trouble is" he continued, "we learn them so young we sometimes don't get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it."

The Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner; much like he would have for his grandson.

Trustworthy: The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look any man in the eye. Lacking it he won't look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.

Loyal: The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.

Helpful: Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind. Be always full of help--the dying man's last words.

Friendly: Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions - an go - but make sure and start with brotherhood.

Courteous: Allow each person his human dignity which means a lot more than saying, "yes ma'am" and "thank you sir". It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more, earlier in life. Save yourself that problem. Do it now.

Kind: This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But it's like your bicycle, it just no good unless you get out and use it.

Obedient: Starts at home. Practice it with your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.

Cheerful: Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.

Thrifty: Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.

Brave: You don't have to fight to be brave. Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day's work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds.

Clean: Soap and water help a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts and don't ever forget it.

Reverent: Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.

Parent' Prayer
Heart of America Council

O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting or contradicting.

Help me to be as courteous to them as I want them to be to me.

Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule.

May I never punish them out of anger or spite or to show my power.

Help me, Dear Lord, the meanness in me. And when I am out of sorts, help me to hold my tongue.

May I be ever mindful that my children are merely children and that I should not expect them to have the maturity and judgment of adult.

Let me not rob them of the opportunity to do things for themselves or to make their own decisions.

Help me grant them all reasonable requests and give me the courage to deny them the privileges that I think may be harmful.

Help me to be fair and just and kind, O Lord, so that I will earn their love and respect and they will want to imitate me. This is the supreme compliment. Amen.

Mike S. emailed this to me.

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Amen