Dear Garrett..

Dear Garrett.  I remember your first coach.  You were about age five in kindergarten at Zion Lutheran School.  You signed up to play soccer through the Georgetown City recreation program.

Your coach’s name was Henry.  It was amazing to see how Henry coached the team.  No matter what any player did, Henry constantly cheered them on.  When a player made a mistake Henry cheered them on all the more.  When a player made a mistake, it seemed a though it was immediately forgotten — or not even noticed.  It was like they hadn’t even made a mistake!  I witnessed Henry cheer each player out of every mistake that was ever made while playing your soccer games.

I was glad you were on Henry’s team.  Dads like to see their sons nurtured with encouragement.  Henry knew how to truly encourage.  I don’t think he knew how to discourage a player at all.  It seemed against his nature to discourage in any way.

I found a definition of  the word “encourage”.  It means to inspire or stimulate with assistance or approval.  I was glad your first coach gave you that approval.

Henry reminds me of what I think God is like.  I think God only encourages us — I don’t think He is ever discouraged with us no matter what we do, just like Henry.

You were the team goalie — remember?  You did a great job with Henry’s constant encouragement.  I’ll ask Rob to post your soccer photos below this story.