Whose Voice Do Your Children Hear?

Heisman trophy winner, Danny Wuerffel, tells the story of a voice he heard throughout his whole life.  He heard it in first grade when he was trying to win a race, “You’re the fastest boy in the grade, Danny!” it said. He won. He heard it in third grade as he turned his head to look at a classmate’s paper and cheat on a test. “You’re a good boy, Danny.  Don’t cheat.”  He didn’t.  He said he heard that voice spurring him on and guiding him all throughout his time as a world-class athlete and competitor. 

Flash forward to the birth of Danny’s first son.  Danny’s mother was in town helping with the baby.  Danny walked by the nursery where she was rocking the newborn. “You’re so strong, Jonah,” she said.  “You’re such a good boy.” Danny paused.  Her words sounded so familiar.  Later he walked by the nursery and heard his mother still talking to the baby.  “You’re so smart, Jonah.  What a wonderful boy you are.”  Danny Wuerffel broke into tears.  The voice he had heard his whole life was the voice of his mother and father.  It was the voice of love and encouragement they had poured into him.

What words are you pouring into your child?

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