They stood there, eyes wide, fingers nervously fiddling with backpack straps. Thirty new students starting today. The daughter is not the only one. She blends in with her own wide eyes.
She stands and watches as the daughter walks away to begin a whole new chapter. Lord, may she know your presence with her, in her, all over her.
She’s checking her watch all day, 3.15 can’t come soon enough. She’s early at the pickup point. The daughter arrives… and she’s smiling!
A few days later the daughter is working on an English project. She has to identify as a character from somewhere, a TV show, a movie.
‘Who will you choose?’ she asks.
‘Hmm, I think I’ll choose Bethany Hamilton,’ the daughter answers.
She sees the Soul Surfer riding a wave in her mind. Tenacious, resilient, Bethany is an incredible example of overcoming adversity through a beautiful faith in God. She lost an arm to a shark attack when she was just 13.
She thinks of the wave the 14-year-old daughter is riding. A new school in a new country, not knowing one single person, not knowing how things are done.
‘Why would you choose Bethany?’ she asks the daughter.
Without skipping a beat, ‘Because she faced really hard things in her life, and she learnt how to live her life differently.’
Live her life differently. Although the daughter is not physically missing a limb, she’s lost all that is familiar and known. She’s had a lot cut off. She’s learning how to live her life differently.
Oh, how that girl teaches her!
‘Perfect,’ she creaks out passed the lump and misty eyes. ‘Bethany’s the perfect character for you.’
And just like Bethany, they’ll trust that God will work His purpose through each of them, riding the waves of change together.
Joshua 1:9 – ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’
Thanks again, Alison. This is God’s word for us today, especially as we face the rock bottom price for coconut oil and the corona virus crisis with its potential impact on our work in the Solomon Islands. Some things might have to be ‘stripped away’ as finances there dwindle, and it is all very painful. May God help the Solomons folk to cope and may we all learn to ‘live differently’.
Oh Maureen! Your work is so close to my heart. May God work His purpose in and through this crisis and may we see miracles happen as we press into Him. Big hug to you and Dan.
I love this! Hope I can become a better surfer through it all 😊
I’m sure you will Taryn! You’re amazing!