One of My Favorite Moms

Even though I haven't met her personally, one of my favorite moms is Sonja Carson. She is the mom of pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Sonja became a single mom of 2 boys at a young age. She worked 2-3 jobs as a maid to provide for her boys. As a 5th grader, Ben brought home failing grades. Sonja asked the Lord to give her wisdom and to show her what she should do.

Sonja called her boys together and told them that they were to turn off the tv. They were to read 2 books from the library each week and write book reports on them. The reports were to be read aloud to her. (The boys didn't know it at the time but Sonja didn't know how to read.) Needless to say, the boys were not happy. Ben said they were "horrified." Because his mom took the high road, Ben went from being labeled as the class dummy to excelling academically. Both he and his brother earned college degrees. At the age of 33, Dr. Carson became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the United States. He is known for successfully separating twins conjoined at the head.

It would have been easy for Sonja to feel sorry for her boys. After all, they didn't have a dad in the house. They didn't have any money. They didn't have a mom at home very much because she worked a lot. Instead she made the hard choice at the time in exchange for the great payoff later. Dr. Carson said, "Thanks to God and a courageous mother; a poor kid from the streets of Detroit has been able to take part in medical miracles."

This is an encouragement to all of us. Sometimes we have to give up the "Most Fun Mom" award and take the high road. Let me be the first to admit that this is much easier said than done especially during those junior high and high school years. Hang in there and take the high road on the things that matter. You can do it! You are not alone. Then you can look forward to the great payoff later.

Have a blessed day, Robin
Source: Mothers of Infuence published by Honor Books