Out of the Mouths of Babes

Charlotte Braddock - kindergarten teacher:

Last year I was going through a particularly difficult time in my life. I was questioning everything, even if I should continue to teach. Then I received an answer from God in the form of a poem. It was written by the parent of one of my students and based on the word of God (Scripture). I am so thankful. This act of kindness meant more to me than this mother will ever know.

“Out of the Mouths of Babes” - based on Psalms 8:2

(A true story from Megan Barnes, as told by her mother)

Out of the mouths of babes we often hear,
The truth adults don’t always speak so clear.

So it came one day from my daughter, the “babe,”
The truth of Mrs. Braddock, from her mouth it came.

While searching ideas for a good teacher present,
I came up empty, so to my daughter I went.

“What’s Mrs. Braddock like?” I asked her to tell,
For I thought she knew her teacher quite well.

“I know what she likes, ‘ Megan said with a grin,
And she proudly announced, “She likes children!”

Amused as I was, my problem remained unsolved,
So I got specific with my question and resolve.

“Does she collect items or like certain things,
Like coffee, or chocolate or horse figurines?”

She appeared to be thinking, so I let her be,
Until finally she came with an answer for me.

“I know what she likes, out loud she thought,
“When we understand a new thing she’s taught.”

She mimics the motions and Mrs. Braddock’s face,
Of the times she discovers learning has taken place.

She smiles real big, mouth and eyes open wide,
Her hands fly up to show her joy inside.

That’s when my search for a gift idea ended,
And realized instead a thank you was needed.

I never got the gift idea I needed that day,
But I noticed the “gifts” Mrs. Braddock gave.

From the mouths of babes, this mom learned a lot,
Like what a “gifted” teacher the Cathedral has got.