Source: Fox Sports
Bethany Hamilton is probably more known from the news of her losing arm due to a shark attack while she was surfing in the waters off Makua Beach on Kauai’s North Shore at age 13. But her name is actually also worth mentioning here as a positive role model for anyone who wants to wait to save sex for marriage.
Now 24 and newly married, Bethany released a new book, Body and Soul. In it, she tries to reach out to young girls and to advise them to respect their own body and soul. And according to Bethany, one way to respect one’s body is by way of saving oneself for marriage.
“I think growing up I was blessed to have parents that stayed together, and have that husband and wife image of I want an awesome husband one day that will love and support me until I die,” she said. “And I also wanted to honor God with the way that I approached [marriage]. I definitely was patient and I didn’t mess around and [my husband is] the only guy I’ve ever kissed.”
Another factor worth repeating, the healthiest environment for girls (or boys for that matter) to learn about marriage is from their parents and their examples and this was mentioned in her book.
Hamilton said she is glad that she waited because the relationship she and her Christian youth minister husband share is “beautiful.”
Bethany Hamilton’s released two books. The first one is Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, which is her biography where she shared about her experience the moment a giant shark bit off her arm and how God kept her faith not to give up hope and how she got back to surfing again.
The newer book, Body and Soul: A Girl’s Guide to a Fit, Fun and Fabulous Life, is more to inspire young girls worldwide to gain self-confidence by treating their spirit, mind and body to a healthier living pattern starting at a young age. The book also includes instructions on workouts, healthy eating and spiritual health. It’s a book about wellness that explains how spiritual health is just as important as physical health.
Surely it takes a lot of courage to get back on your feet after losing an arm to a shark. But it takes no less courage to withstand the societal pressure to save oneself for marriage. And Bethany Hamilton, who solely relies on her faith to Jesus, shows the consistency of her character in both areas.
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Surfer Bethany Hamilton on losing arm in shark attack: Jesus is my stronghold