Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NIV)

One of the most influential ways of building character in the lives of our children is by speaking into their lives and speaking over their lives. 

Take a moment to remember how your day played out based on the words you heard. The words could have been, "Have a great day", "Keep making me proud", "You better not act a fool in school," or "Get your bad butt out of here."

Those words had the power to shape our day. 

When I think of this sobering truth, I always reflect back to the story of the pioneer in the hair care business, Joe Dudley, who recently passed February 8, 2024, at the age of 86. 

During his childhood, Joe was labeled retarded because of a speech impediment. 

"Prove Them Wrong, Joe."

Imagine being a kid, with a speech problem, stuttering.  He must have been fearful of the jokes make about him when he was called upon to read out loud or answer a question in class.

But his mother spoke positively into his life and told him, "Prove them wrong Joe."

Those powerful words of encouragement would prove to make a difference in his life. 

Joe didn't allow stuttering to limit him, even though he was held back in first grade.  He embraced the positive words of his mother and set a course to do exactly what her words said, he proved them wrong!

After becoming a door-to-door salesman for Fuller hair care products, he and his wife Eunice, would later start their own successful hair care business in the kitchen of their home. 

They also opened up Dudley beauty schools, in North Carolina, Chicago, and Washington, DC. 

He hired local college students to work for him as well as individuals recovering from substance use disorders. 

The positive words spoken over Joe Dudley's life as a child made a lasting impression and helped to shape his character as a successful businessman and example to others.

We should be reminded that the words we speak to and over the lives of our children has the ability to shape their character for life. 

And when they have heard negative words spoken, we will encourage them with these powerful words..."Prove them wrong."

Picture credit: Sebastian-Leon Prado @Unsplash.com 

In honor of Black History Month, we salute Joe Dudley.