Helping Your Child ThriveExemplo

FROM "DUMMY" TO "DOCTOR"

His name was Ben, but his teachers and classmates nicknamed him “Dummy.” Their insults might have defined him if it weren’t for a strong mother who intervened in his life. Thanks to her, the boy shed that horrible label and eventually earned another: “Doctor.”

As a single mom with a third-grade education in Detroit’s housing projects, Sonya Carson worked several jobs just to get by. It was a tough life that was hard to escape without an education. So when she learned her son, Ben, was failing almost every subject in fifth grade, she took action.

She limited Ben’s time watching television and his outside playtime until his homework was done. She also required him to read two library books every week and write reports on them. Was she tough?

Absolutely. But along with firm discipline, she offered her son equally vigorous encouragement and affirmation, constantly telling him, “Give your best, Ben. Settle for nothing less than doing your best for yourself and for others.” Before long, he grew to love learning and devoured one book after another, all on his own.

As a result, Ben rose to the top of his class. Years later, Dr. Benjamin Carson, as he was now called, became a world-famous pediatric neurosurgeon and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his accomplishments.

Parents shouldn’t expect perfection from their kids, but they can instill the value of learning and hard work and remind them to do everything in the name of Christ. That kind of encouragement can do wonders to unlock someone’s God-given potential. Because inside every child, there just might be a Dr. Benjamin Carson waiting to come out.

For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly’s blog, Daly Focus, at JimDalyBlog.com.