Football Season

Noah is playing football this fall. It's his first time to play, while all the others have been playing on the team for several years. Although not the biggest player on the team, he is the tallest (actually, he towers over a few of the other kids). Sixth Grade is funny like that - you have some kids that hitting that growth spurt and others that haven't. I do believe Noah has grown 3 inches over the summer. Everytime we turn around, he seems to have outgrown something.

Last week, the team received their jerseys and the parents were asked to present them to their sons and say a few words.

And this is what I told him.

Noah - You have persevered through the heat of practice to learn the game. And not once have you ever complained. You have done everything the coaches ask, exactly the way they ask. You listen to their instruction and have worked and practiced to improve. But more than anything else, you have been an encourager to your team. I hear your voice over all the others encouraging your teammates on. I have seen you stay late to encourage a player who was running sprints. I hear you encouraging the one guy who is lagging behind to not give up. And that's why I am proud of you - you persevere and you encourage.