Four Roanoke Catholic seniors — all athletes in our winter sports — shared their Christian faiths at today’s FCA breakfast: Brian Sakalas (wrestling), Danny Brajdic (swimming), Gabby Mclelland (girl’s basketball), and JJ Krajnik (boy’s basketball).
We’d like to share with you Gabby’s remarks:
I must admit that when I was asked to talk this morning, I had no idea what to even do or say. Because the pen may be mightier than the sword, but my basketball skills are mightier than my pen. Besides my struggle as where to even begin, I had to think about the direction and emotion I wanted to talk with. Should this be funny and lighthearted or serious and awe-inspiring? So I settled for just making it rhyme to make it a little more entertaining for everyone …
I have attended Roanoke Catholic since Pre-K With Our Lord God guiding me day by day, Though not at first, I had to find Him on my way. I’ve always been a good student, with all As and maybe a B, But hard studying in its entirety Lacks goals, lacks purpose without influence from the Trinity I learned that lesson quickly, and let God be my guide So He can teach me by my side In all my actions and choices that I decide So I bring Him with me to the court and my game To play with all my gifts and talents, not for fame But to give it all back in His name. 1,000 rebounds, 1,500 points, my feats are not for me They’re for my coaches, parents, and basketball family To turn God’s plan into my reality I’m not perfect, I have days where I’m off Every shot is too strong, an air-ball too soft I dribble off my own foot, or my passes weak and loft But I don’t give up and turn my back I will never quit and decide to slack Because God is my fuel to help me attack Those days where nothing seems to be going right Blinded by my own pride, a slave to the night Before I regain humility and find peace in the light Every lay-up I take and jump ball I win I do for Him, because I’m bound to sin In my basketball game, or that of life, again and again So I take off my shoes, pack up my bag, like a bball bum Going wherever people will appreciate where I’m from To take with them the new person they were meant to become.