Gifted Hands - the Ben Carson story

Last night we watched this movie, “Gifted Hands”.  What an inspiring story – I would recommend it for any family (with older children).  It is rated PG with mild themes and surgical procedures, some of which would be emotionally challenging for young children.

At the end of the movie we sat there trying to wrap it up but it was hard to put into words – but at the same time it left you inspired.  A few themes we took notice of were:

• how the mother believed in her son – always believing what he was capable of
• his mother created a love of learning, an atmosphere in the home that encouraged learning (she reduced TV, she insisted on reading and reporting, she set them goals, she encouraged, she believed)
• he found his learning style (which was reading books) and he functioned best with that both in university and continued research as a doctor
• he had both encouragement and discouragement from people around him – he had to decide for himself which way to go
• he prayed everyday – he cried out to God when his life got out of control.  God was faithful
• his mother overcame her difficulties and was always on the look out for ways to improve herself and her situation

I have to ask myself, “Do I give my children the assurance that I believe in them?”  I hope so but I think I have a ways to go till I reach the level of Mrs Carson.

I was also challenged about helping Daniel be inspired about the world around him.  Now that he is reading – very early stages – I think we’ll take a trip to the library to look for non-fiction books that he can read.

This movie isn’t about becoming a doctor, but rather becoming all that you have been created to be.  Very inspiring!