Theme Thursday: Faith

Brothers and sisters:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen. 

Hebrews, Chapter 11

My husband is a faithful man. No, you're not going to find him at a Knights of Columbus meeting, or at daily Mass or at a hospital bringing the Eucharist to patients. That is the way many men live out their faith beyond their Sunday Mass obligations. 

Instead, you will find my husband for three and a half hours every Wednesday night this summer in an un-air-conditioned high school gym, coaching basketball. Sometimes, when the paid referees don't show up, you'll find him both coaching and refereeing games against leagues in other towns. You will find him spending three hours Sunday afternoons leading the boys in practice at a county park. It costs not a dime to participate in the league, which means families of modest means have something to offer their sons during long, hot summers. 

A few years ago, Greg volunteered to found this summer basketball league for middle school boys. The league has grown to more than 40 participants this summer. My husband still largely is the only adult involved. The boys he coaches, pictured above in purple tee-shirts, are from a wide range of family backgrounds. What they share with my husband is the love of the game. 

What are the "things not seen" in this picture? The difference Greg will make in these young men's lives and the difference they already are making in his. That's why this is a picture of faith. 

Linking up with Cari.

a beautiful postscript: Last night, at the last game of the summer season, a coach from a neighboring town gave Greg a piece of artwork: a carved-out globe depicting the Manhattan skyline prior to Sept. 11, 2001. The globe was made from rubble from the attacks. The coach had no idea Greg is a survivor of the attacks.