By Scott Kaiser

Spiritual courage is not wavering from doing what is right--no matter what others choose to do. A young lady from Houston whose passion and skill is basketball makes what are at times painful choices, yet evokes admiration from peers. More importantly, though, her conduct glorifies God. The Houston Chronicle gave us permission to reprint this inspiring account.

MAGINE your most intimate passion. Sports? Music? Literature? Whatever it might be, now imagine that half the chances you have to enjoy your passion conflict with your religious beliefs. Would you stick to your beliefs or succumb to the pleasures that come with your passion?

This is the dilemma Cy-Fair guard Jamie Franks faces. A talented 5'6" senior, Franks has not played a basketball game on Friday nights or Saturdays because that is when she recognizes the Sabbath.

"That is how I was brought up," Franks said. "I grew up around people in my church, and so I never thought about doing it differently."

Franks' father, Jim, is a minister in the nondenominational United Church of God, which has three churches in the Houston area. Its history dates to the early 1930s, and its beliefs include a literal interpretation of the Bible.

"Just about any minister of any church would say that Saturday is the seventh day of the week, and the Jews have obviously maintained that seven-day cycle for thousands of years," Jim Franks said. "The Jewish Reckoning is from sunset to sunset, so that means from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday is the Sabbath."

As a result, the Sabbath conflicts with a high school sports schedule that is filled with Friday and Saturday games. What makes the decision especially difficult for Jamie is that she's a good player. For the past two seasons, Franks has averaged 12.3 points (including a high of 27), five rebounds, 2.1 steals and two assists. She was a first-team all-district selection last season despite playing only half the time. An excellent player on both ends of the court, Franks belies her quiet nature with a fierce hatred of losing.

"She would definitely make a difference playing full time," Cy-Fair coach Ann Roubique said. "Not only because of her physical ability but her ability to lead. The kids look up to her, and that's all of them from the freshmen on up. She brings some stability to the court. Sometimes we have that without her, but when she's there, it's always there."

Opposing coaches agree.

"She's an excellent player and there is a big difference when she doesn't play," Cypress Falls coach Sharon Farrah said. "I'm glad we played them on two Fridays (this season) because they are a lot better with her. Last year she really stood out (scoring 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds) against us."

Franks' teammates wish she would be there for every game.

"It's hard when she can't play,"junior guard Alissa Thomas said. "The team has accepted it as far as it goes, but we all know that we want her there because when she is there, she's a big help."

For Franks, the emotional battle between basketball and her beliefs has been hard-fought.

"It's always been tough for me,"she said. "When I got into junior high, it started conflicting with things and I realized then that I had to make a decision."

Jim Franks had the same problem growing up in Arkansas. He played on his school's baseball team that qualified for state three of his four years, but he had to miss some important games along the way.

"It's very difficult when you're 16, 17 years old and you're not able to play in a regional playoff game, but it was never a question of whether you would or not, although you didn't enjoy missing them," he said.

Jim and his wife, Sharron, have given Jamie the option to play on the Sabbath since she entered high school.

"Every year I have to think about it again because there are points in the season where I really want to play," Jamie said. "I just have to weigh my options and once I really think it through, it comes down that this is more important, but I'll admit it takes a while (to make a decision)."

Although her teammates wish she would play, they haven't tried to change her decision.

"I think she puts enough pressure on herself," Thomas said. "We don't have to say anything because she knows how we all feel. She's voted team captain every time it comes up, so we know she's a leader on the team and is our best player. Everybody understands what a sacrifice it is for her because she's very competitive. We know it kills her not to play, but her beliefs come first."

As a result, Roubique has a unique problem in trying to maintain the chemistry on her team. Franks practices with the starters on Monday in preparation for Tuesday's games, but Wednesday and Thursday she's a member of the scout team. She also misses Saturday practices after Friday games.

"It's been very difficult at times, believe me, but the thing is she's made it easier to handle because she works so hard," Roubique said. "I never have to fuss at her about playing hard at practice or in games. She's just a great kid."

But just because Franks sticks to her beliefs, it doesn't mean she's any different than any teen-ager. She loves Tom Cruise movies (especially Top Gun), listens to music ranging from country to rap ("I don't like listening to Christian music," she says), and prone to take part in pranks -- sometimes even the ringleader -- aimed at teammates and coaches.

"She's not any different than the rest of her teammates," Thomas said. "She believes what she believes and we respect her for that. It's her Sunday and that's the way she was brought up. She doesn't do anything different than anybody else other than it's on Friday nights and Saturday."

And that 24-hour span is tough on Franks, especially when she knows she's missing a game.

"The toughest part is knowing that I can't be there to help out,"Franks said. "It gets really hard at times because I'm thinking about it constantly. Sometimes I try to get my mind off of it, but it's pretty impossible. A lot of times I'll sit there and think, `Well, they're at about halftime now,' and just wonder how they're doing."

As hard as the situation is, no one will question the sincerity behind her decision.

"If she is that strong in her faith, you can't help but respect somebody for that," Roubique said. "That's hard to do, especially for a kid to stand up for what they believe."

For Franks, though, it's not about appearances. It's about having deep beliefs and sticking with them, regardless of the sacrifices.

"I try to put things in perspective and this will stay with me for the rest of my life," Franks said. "Even though I love basketball and it kills me to be away from the team, I have to realize what's more important."