Editor’s Note: For privacy reasons, names and certain details have been changed. These stories are shared by former houseparents who have served at various children’s homes to offer insight, encouragement, and prayer for those considering this role. To respect the privacy of the children in these stories, we use artistic depictions rather than real photos.

Coaching the Uncoachable:

A Season of Transformation

Written by Mariah Blalock, Former House Parent

When Ethan first joined the team, he carried more than just his gear; he carried the weight of a difficult past. Football was never going to be easy for him. If he signed up again next year, he might be the player that made a coach sigh at the roster. He was the one who disrupted practice, got into fights, struggled with discipline, and seemed to learn every lesson the hard way. He wasn’t the fastest, the strongest, or the most naturally talented. But he showed up.

And his coaches didn’t give up on him.

Through all the struggles, suspensions, hard practices, and moments where it seemed like he wouldn’t make it, something was happening beneath the surface. He was learning—learning how to commit to something, how to be held accountable, how to push through challenges rather than run from them.

Then, in the final game of the season, everything changed.

That night, Ethan recorded four sacks and forced a fumble that was recovered by a teammate for the only score his team notched all night. Watching his coaches jump up and down, calling his name, watching him pump his fists in triumph, and seeing his teammates run to him on the sidelines was a moment that would not be forgotten.

At the end of the game, his coach, Coach Thompson, gathered the team and looked straight at Ethan. “I’ve told you all year that there was a football player inside you, and we saw him tonight.” And as if that moment weren’t enough, the coaching staff honored him by letting him lead the final team cheer of the season.

For a kid like Ethan, that moment meant everything. It was proof that he wasn’t just tolerated—he was valued. He had fought through the hardships, the self-doubt, and the frustrations, and he had come out the other side knowing he was part of something bigger than himself.

This football season may not have been marked by championship trophies or perfect records, but it was one of the most meaningful seasons experienced. The smallest steps are often the greatest victories, and for Ethan, this was his championship moment in the lifelong journey of healing.

A Prayer of Gratitude: Heavenly Father, we lift up children like Ethan, who enter our lives carrying burdens too heavy for their young shoulders. We thank You for the coaches, teachers, and mentors who invest in them, refusing to give up when the road is tough. Lord, we ask that You continue to send dedicated houseparents and role models who will nurture and uplift these children. May we always remember that even the smallest acts of kindness can change a life forever. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.