Soul Surfer

A couple of months ago I went with the ladies in my Bible study to see the movie Soul Surfer. I have to admit I wasn't too sure about it going in. I had heard of Bethany Hamilton and what she had gone through but I didn't truly know her story.
 
I left the theater amazed. It was a really great movie and one of my first thoughts was "my girls need to see this movie." She is an inspiring girl and her story is amazing.

 For my birthday, my sister (knowing I am an avid reader) gave me the book, Soul Surfer. Once again, because I am slow like this, I thought "that's nice, but I saw the movie."
 
A couple of days later, my 10 year old daughter was looking for something to read. I think she has inherited my love of reading (squeal)! I gave her the book to read because I wanted her to be inspired and encouraged. She protested at first, because once again she's like me, and said "Mom, I know what happens ..." I told her I'd let her see the movie if she read the book. Little did she know that I was going to let her see it anyway - hee, hee!

She finished the book really quickly and seemed to like it. I briefly talked with her about it assuming the book was just like the movie. 
 
One day, I picked it up and looked through it a little and read Bethany's diary at the back about making the movie. I was really impressed. So I decided to read the whole book. 

Amazing! This girl is amazing! The book gave much more of her background and her personal thoughts on things that happened before, during, and after the attack. I don't want to give any of it away but I could go on and on. 
  
It is just so obvious that God had plans for this girl from the beginning. If it would have been anyone else, they most likely would not have survived. Her upbringing, her training, everything came together to keep her calm and alive through a horrific event.
 
Not only has Bethany survived but she has thrived. She has turned all of this into a huge testimony that is reaching so many people. "Being a top professional surfer would have brought me only a sliver of this recognition and probably only within the tight-knit surfing community." p. 171

I am so impressed with her morals, her kind heart, her love for Jesus. In a world where there are not enough role models, Bethany stands out. "I try not to make a big soap opera out of the shark attack.  I would rather focus on what God has allowed me to do in picking up the pieces of my old life and adjusting to parts that are new and different for me. Most of all, I want to use my story as a way to tell God's story. It seems like He has given me the attention of the world for a moment and I had better take advantage of it while I can." p. 160
 
It takes a lot to impress me and yet I am totally impressed by the character of Bethany Hamilton, at such a young age no less.
 
If I were her mother, I'd be over the top proud.
 
If you haven't seen the movie, see it (or buy it for goodness sake.) If you haven't read the book, read it. It will inspire you and give you hope that there are still amazing young role models for our kids in today's world.
 
I'm definitely going to have another conversation with my daughter about the book. I pray that she was as moved by it as I was.