In the Raw.

This is the story of a man who has given so much to the kids around him and truly wanting nothing in return. It's a story about 'going all in', giving all to try to make a difference because of the difference HE made in us. For as long as Coach W and I have been together we have been involved in kids lives. He coaches. That is just what he does. He goes 100% in. He holds nothing back. He gives all he can. He invests his time. His money. His all. 


The past 14 days I have seen a man who has been torn yet strong. He has prayed and kept his character 100% in tact. Does he walk away from coaching or does he take the next step and take over a program? Anyone who is married to a coach knows the commitment, the time, the exhaustion but they also know the love, encouragement and opportunity to truly invest in kids lives. 


For 10 years this has been our ministry. We have been able to invest in kids and show the raw, the real side of life. We have opened our home. We have sat up until 2 am with the kids. We have spent endless hours talking and investing in these kids. They become an extended part of us. Why you ask? Because it's been our passion. 


Over the last couple of days Coach and I have spent hours on our couch talking. Trying to decide what is best for our family. What is best for our boys. Is it possible to put his dream and love for coaching aside. Can he put the whistle away? To be honest, I have been a wreck. Ultimately it was his decision. I would back him 100%. I was all in either way. I didn't want him to walk away because I know this is his love, his passion.


The phone rang.... Before I could even hear the words from his mouth over the phone tears began to fill my eyes. I knew his answer. He simply said I am done. Not because he wanted to be but because for our family, for our sons he felt like it was the right thing to do. He told me that he prayed harder in the last two weeks then he has in years. He knew it was the right decision. Was it the easiest decision? Absolutely not. Was it the decision he wanted. Nope. Is he torn up about not being around the kids? 100% yes. Is it what he felt the Lord wanted him to do. Yes. 


My husband {Coach} is a man that I admire. I think one of the things that makes me sad about him not being involved with kids is that there are few men that have the integrity of Coach. Few men that truly care about others and that you can take him at his word. No questions asked. A man who cares more about his boys that he is willing to set aside his desires so that he can be 'present'. Be involved. Be an example. Be an amazing Dad.


I am excited to see what doors will be opened for him. HE isn't done using 'Coach'. I truly believe that one of the reasons he is such a great man is because he knows the love he has been given and because of that, he can in return freely give it to others. Who knows what the future hold. Who knows when the whistle will be used again, when the tie and dress pants will be put on, when the hours of scouting and practices will begin.


The beautiful thing about it. HE knows. His plans are so much better than ours and I am thankful for the man that God placed in my life. I am thankful for the kids who have spent hours in our home. I am thankful for the laughter, for the jokes, for the team dinners, for the many basketball games, for the hours of scouting, for the last second shots, and for the joy it has brought our family.


Walking in obedience in not always easy but it's the only way to walk. So that is what we will do. One foot in front of the other. We will walk.