Soul Surfer ~ Bethany Hamiliton

my life has changed.  my perspective has changed.  my perspective on life has changed.  how can a one hour forty six minute movie change my perspective so much?  how can my life change that fast.  tell me how???  the trailer  doesn't even match it.  i reply with simple words...how can it not?  how can your perspective on life not change when you watch a movie like this, about a girl so strong willed, with a perspective so good, and knows what life and love is all about.  how can you not want to be like Bethany Hamilton?  how can she not be a role model in your life?

Bethany has a passion for surfing, that's where she is going with her life.  this was her future.  until one afternoon a shark ripped off her left arm while she was surfing.  from that moment Bethany's life was changed.  bad, but good (we'll get to the good).  sure, she lost an arm.  how could you manage?  your day to day basic living style becomes a whole new routine.  your looks are different, and others don't look at you the same.  Bethany's surfing life changed.  surfing its self became one hundred times harder.  but Bethany became a whole new person.  she became stronger, and her perspective changed, her life changed as she realized that her life is not all about surfing.  i learned so much from this movie.  my favorite line was when she was laying on the hospital bed and her and her dad looked at each other and said together "I can do all things through God who strengthens me."  it was that line that helped her through the training, and the falls, and the hard times.  it was that line that made her fearless and so brave and helped her get back on that board.  it was that line that encouraged her to keep to faith and push through to the end.  it is that line that made her manage with only one arm.  and it is that line that has gotten her where she is today - excelling as a professional surfer.  she looked to God for her strength.  she kept on pushing and seeking God's plan for her life, even though is was hard and difficult and not easy to see.

i was reminded in this movie about an example that i have heard before.  someone shows you a picture, and you can guess all you want at what it is, but when the actual picture is revealed, the blown up picture before didn't even look like what it actually was. -  we only see the blown up picture.  we only see a 'part' of the picture, but God see's the full picture.  we only see the situation and mess but God see's our life and knows where and when that situation will turn into something good.  Bethany only saw what was going on in her life right then and there.  Bethany could only look down and see one arm hanging from her upper body.  she could only see how difficult life was.  but God could see the full picture.  and God could see the outcome of her life.  he could see down the road to Bethany's life where she is a professional surfer, even with one arm.  God knew Bethany's plan for her life.  that example helped Bethany change her perspective.

and the coolest thing of all, is that she wouldn't change a thing.  she wouldn't go back to that day in October, where a shark ripped her arm off.  and only because now, she can share her faith with others around the world.  she can now inspire others to go after their dreams, to follow their passions and heart no matter what circumstance or situation.  2 arms or one...the dream and passion is still the same...and will never change until accomplished.

and then there is me, Amy Bennett, dreams as high as the sky, and ready to accomplish them conquering anything that get's in my way.  because just like Bethany Hamilton has shown me and many others .... nothing is impossible, especially with God on your side.  i think to myself, if Bethany can become who she is today with only one arm...then really what is stopping me?  what is stopping me from achieving my dreams.  the answer should be nothing.  and that is what i think of when i run track, play soccer...anything in life.  i can do and achieve anything in life, reminding myself of Bethany Hamilton, and with the help of God on my side - the ultimate strength giver.  i can do all things through God who stregthens me.

~amy