You Can Say You’re Strong or You Can Show Your Strength!

When asked, the average will person say they’re strong.  When someone touches a person’s muscles, one will be quick to say, “Yes, I am strong!”  When an achievement receives high reviews, you will hear echoes of, ” … yes, I am strong.”  Rarely do we allow for our strength to be shown.  My client, Justen Chatman, is one who showed his strength.  After faithfully rising through the sub-varsity & varsity levels for Dutch Fork High as a point guard, he was scheduled to lead the Silver Foxes’ Boys Varsity Basketball team as a Senior and Captain.

However during pre-season workouts, Justen tore his ACL and Meniscus .  This injury eliminated any opportunity  he thought he would have to lead his team to the 5A State Championship.  Instead, he opted to not walk away from the program but serve as a student coach.  He showed his strength to act as point guard without a uniform.  He PUSHED, DIRECTED and TRUSTED.  He pushed the players to understand that team work was the ONLY way that all things would work in their favor.  The team defeated Irmo High School for the first time in Justen’s 4 years at DFHS.  He directed the team from a perspective where the team would understand that Justen had played on the Varsity level before and his experience was a jewel that gave them an edge over other teams.  Moreover, Justen trusted that God made no mistakes and this was His will for him, concerning basketball.  He showed his strength to endure a setback that would have left many crying and questioning our Heavenly Father.

Time was well spent with Justen!  Deep inside, I wondered if we should include a basketball in our session, considering he didn’t get to play this year.  But I got rid of that thought and out came the ball, as we put up some solid shots under the gate …

We wanted to pull in some brick to accompany his green cap and gown.  And with that being said, here are those images …

Wanting to finish off the session with a SLAM DUNK, we looked around and tried to figure how we could conclude without a turnover.  Great minds came together and we factored in some stairs …

Buzzer went off (well, not really) and the session was over.  In a few weeks, Justen will be graduating with honors and headed off to the college of his choice.  Very easy to explain how proud I am of this young man that could have let his circumstances overshadow his ability to finish strong.  He went against the grain, gathered those that were weak, and showed his strength to those within earshot of hearing how true determination rises.  In the words of my client, I’M DONE.  Here are all JTC’s final images.  Snap at you later.  Be ez.  Peace.  #moseawell #beezpeace