I happened upon a movie that instantly landed on my list of flicks that depict strong marriages. Soul Surfer conveys the true story of a girl named Bethany Hamilton who is passionate about surfing. She is headed toward sponsorship as a pro when a tiger shark bites off her arm. Her trust in God is not severed, though it creaks under the strain. 

 

I recognized some of the cast, which does not happen a lot. Bethany's mom was the mother in Pay It Forward. Her dad was the alcoholic father in I Can Only Imagine, and her best friend's dad was the husband in What If?. Those three movies have had a lasting effect on me. 

 

Soul Surfer follows Bethany as she begins to fall into despair over her loss. The sweet turning point comes when she travels with her youth group to help the victims of a tsunami, and her love of the ocean helps a little boy who has lost everything. 

 

Her parents are her champions. They believe in Bethany, and they work together to ride the overwhelming challenge of their daughter's accident. 

 

One of the scenes before the shark attack is of the youth pastor showing close up photos that are unrecognizable. It is only when you back up to a wider angle that the kids can identify a walnut. She says the same is true of God's plan for us. This notion becomes a touch stone for Bethany when she despairs that God seems to have robbed her of her dream. 

 

Bethany's life expands in ways she could never have predicted, to be both a top ranking surfer, but also an emissary for hope. 

 

 Those who trust in the Divine are altogether different. Though concerned about the morrow, yet are they unconcerned, in that they are not anxious, let alone worried, when they give thought to the morrow. They remain even-tempered whether or not they realize desires, and they do not grieve over loss; they are content with their lot. If they become wealthy they do not become infatuated with wealth; if they are promoted to important positions they do not consider themselves worthier than others. If they become poor they are not made miserable either; if lowly in status they do not feel downcast. They know that for those who trust in the Divine all things are moving towards an everlasting state of happiness, and that no matter what happens at any time to them, it contributes to that state. Heavenly Secrets 8478, Emanuel Swedenborg