Celebrating Your Child's Wins

It's always exciting to see your kid do well in their activities. Whether sports related or academics, their success is to be celebrated. And here in the Higham house, we get really excited when one of our kiddos does well! Just yesterday, we received word that Nate was honored with the high school's Athlete of the Month.

It's been a busy season for Nate. Two of his favorite activities fall into the Spring sporting season; Baseball and Track and Field. And somehow, he has found a way to participate in both. In fact, he's found success in both!

Baseball is Nate's passion. And he's pretty good. He play's an awesome shortstop, and has really worked hard to hone is pitching talent. A couple of years ago, Nate discovered the high jump while spending a couple of weeks at summer camp. But we've learned that not only is he good at the high jump, he's also very good in the long jump and the triple jump. The boy's got hops.

Nate started working the track and field angle in middle school, showing that he had potential in the jumping field events. This springs has been a great time for him to really shine. As a sophomore, he's already grabbed a couple medals at a number of invitationals this season. And with two years left in his high school career, who knows what he might be able to accomplish before graduation.

So Wednesday morning, Amy gets a text message from Nate that he had been named the school's Athlete of the Month. I think it's well earned. Nate works hard as an athlete, leaving everything he has on the field of play. He's a total team-player, not thinking of himself as anything more that a member of the team with the responsibility to play hard, do his part, and support and encourage his teammates.

Nate delivers a pitch in one of the early season games for the HS Varsity Baseball Team.

Nate receiving one of his medals at a local invitational event.

It's fun to watch our kids do well in their chosen activities. Like most parents, Amy and I have enjoyed watching our kids grow and develop the skills related to their sports. And like many parents, we to find ourselves caught up in the drama of the game and have to remind ourselves, it's just a game.

Win or lose, what matters most isn't the value found on the scoreboard. No, it's the heart of the athlete, and the spirit of the child inside that matters most. It's the accomplishments and successes, the learning and the growing, and the simplicity of good play and good times that matter most. So celebrate the wins, big and small. And cheer on what is most important, the heart and the spirit of the child.

Amy and I are super proud of Nate and all the hard work he has put into his seasons. We've watched him win and we've watched him lose. And his integrity in both has made shown his growing maturity as an athlete.

So congratulations, Nate! Enjoy your moment. Savor every second. But remember that who you are is not found in how high you jump, how fast your throw, or how far you can hit a ball. You are a child of the Most High God, and nothing and no one will ever change that! So play as you live, for the glory and applause of the One who gave you the talent and gift to do what you love!

​- the higham family 

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Hi we're Jay & Amy, and we've been married for 19 years and are super blessed to be busy raising our 5 kids; 4 boys and 1 girl! We juggle the adventures of life and ministry and share what we are learning as it relates to marriage, family, raising kids, serving in the church, and chasing after Jesus. We know that raising a family is hard work, especially in today's culture. But our hope is to encourage you and your family, as we live for the glory of God. This is our story.