The Gift

By Brian Catanella and J.P. Nerbun

Marcus is a talented basketball player and his team's leading scorer as a junior. But three-pointers and flashy ball-handling can't compensate for his out-of-control emotions and temper tantrums. They cost Rockville dearly in a crucial showdown with its leading rival, Lincoln Prep. He obviously needs a course correction, which comes when his coach steers Marcus onto a new path by introducing him to a series of mentors.

These caring teachers and role models come from all walks of life. They're the counselors and guides who turn Marcus from a selfish, me-first player into a teammate valued by everyone on the court. In shining a light on their positive contributions to Marcus's life, The Gift: A Leadership Fable on Growing through Adversity, relates a story of hope, inspiration, and possibilities.

Based on the experiences of author Brian Catanella, this novella emphasizes life lessons that will stick with readers long after they finish reading. It will especially help them to remember the joys of giving and blessing others—and put them into practice. Says bestselling author Jon Gordon: "Brian shares a practical, fascinating story of how we can learn to face adversity and honor God in the process." Pick up The Gift and you won't be able to put it down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098388898

Book preview

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The Gift: A Leadership Fable on Growing through Adversity

Copyright © 2021 by Brian Catanella

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1-09838-888-1 | eBook ISBN: 978-1-09838-889-8

All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe on the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Contents

Dedication

Praise for The Gift

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1: Challenges

Chapter 2: The Unexpected Start

Chapter 3: The Gift

Chapter 4: The Next Session

Chapter 5: The Lesson

Chapter 6: The Resistance

Chapter 7: Return to Action

Chapter 8: The Inspiration

Chapter 9: The Next Round

Chapter 10: The Storm

Chapter 11: The Talk

Chapter 12: The Rebirth

Chapter 13: The Meeting

Chapter 14: The Game

Epilogue: The Bench Revisited

Acknowledgments

Dedication

To my wife, Chris, my rock and the greatest gift

I ever could have asked for. Thank you for helping me grow

through my challenges, face all my fears, and seek to multiply

our gifts together. I love you, best friend. Thank you.

Praise for The Gift

"Grit. Determination. Perseverance. All qualities we must possess as we aim to succeed as positive leaders. But without something providing greater meaning for our lives, we will struggle to attain them. In The Gift, Brian Catanella shares a practical, fascinating story of how we can learn to face adversity and honor God in the process. This book will captivate your heart and push you to be a greater teammate and leader. Get ready for a journey packed with timeless life lessons as you enjoy the gift of life."

– Jon Gordon, Best-selling Author of

The Garden and The Energy Bus

"The Gift is far more than a wonderful story. It’s a contemporary parable, compelling you and me to ponder one’s life, calling, and faith more deeply and authentically—a generous and important reminder of what really matters."

– Bruce Main, Founder, UrbanPromise Ministries

Author, Spotting the Sacred: Noticing God

in the Most Unlikely Places

"GPT is also known as God’s Perfect Timing! The Gift could not have been written at a more perfect time in human history. The truth is, we’re living in a day where adversity is certain and challenges are many … but God … chose Brian Catanella’s pen to write this timely, truth-filled fable to let us know that we are never alone and help is closer than we might imagine. God specializes in doing amazing things through ordinary people. Our job, much like Marcus’s, is to be humble enough to see and receive every gift that’s been given to us through the wisdom of each person’s life experience."

– Mikado Hinson, Director of Player Development

And Team Chaplain for Texas A&M Football

This book will bring joy to the heart of any coach or athlete while also challenging their thoughts on the power of unconditional love. A coach will be challenged to lead with love. An athlete will be challenged to be a better teammate. Ultimately, this book shows us that the greatest gift we have ever been given is God’s love for us. After I finished reading this book, I was inspired to be a better person for the athletes I am blessed to coach. I cannot wait to share it with everyone I guide moving forward.

– Nik Schweikert, Basketball Coach

Carrollton High School, Carrollton, Ohio

The ending touched my soul! The message of this book and the transformation that can take place, truly is a gift. Your family, friends, and teammates will thank you for applying the truths in this story!

– Chad Simpson, Host of The Christian Coach

Podcast, Author of The Freshman: 15 Lessons

to Ace the Next Semester of Your Life,

Head Tennis Coach and Assistant AD,

Point University, Georgia

"The Gift had me engaged from the opening pages. This is a powerful fable about a young athlete who learns the value of mentorship and the power of forgiveness. This book reminds all of us that we are loved and cared for, for who we are and not for what we do."

– Justin Simpkins, President

Prairie Hockey Academy, Ltd.

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada

"The Gift is a powerful story to remind us that we are all created for a purpose much bigger than ourselves. Life is not without its challenges and adversity, but it is how we face these obstacles that allows us to discover our purpose and grow. I highly encourage you to not only read this story, but read it and then respond! Seek your purpose, embrace adversity, and encourage others to do the same."

– Stewart Hardy, Co-Founder/President and

Podcast Host, All In Sports Outreach

Foreword

When I was eighteen years old, there was no reason I shouldn’t have had my life together. My home life was solid. My parents provided a strong example of a Christian marriage and family. My six other brothers and sisters had all attended universities and excelled before becoming engineers, doctors, and physicists. I had the good fortune of getting a great education after attending private school during my formative years. I was bright and physically gifted. Yet, on the verge of adulthood, I seemed intent on throwing it all away.

For years, I had worked to achieve my dream of one day playing college basketball. Yet, as an upperclassman in high school, I fluctuated between a self-obsession with my individual

achievements and an attitude of not caring about any of it. Being president of the high school student council and the star of our basketball team didn’t erase the self-doubts that plagued me. I experienced intense periods of depression and even considered taking my own life on several occasions.

Yet, somehow, in my freshman year at the University of South Carolina, I earned a spot as a walk-on on the basketball team, which played in the powerful Southeastern Conference—only to continuously jeopardize it by getting involved with drugs, alcohol, and other reckless behavior. Over the next few years, my behavior continued to spiral out of control, and it took years to reground myself.

As I read The Gift, this story resonated with me on a personal level. This book provided me with many insights into my own experiences. It helped me realize that I have not just been lucky in life, but blessed with many gifts.

In the face of my adversity, the greatest gifts were my many mentors. Some sought me out. Others, I sought out. I had a personal relationship with some of my mentors: an uncle, a pastor, and a friend. Others came to me from books like the one you are about to read. The Gift has many lessons, perhaps none more important than the reminder that we can’t do it alone. We all need mentors along our journey to help us.

Primarily, this help comes in three forms:

First, mentors remind us of important truths: who we are, who we can be, and why we matter. They can help light a fire within us or kindle one that is already there.

Second, they provide a sounding board—someone to reach out to when we face uncertainties, doubts, or questions. They can serve as a light throughout our journey.

Third, they can help us become aware