Some people in our lives mean so much to us, it’s hard to put it into words. They have played multiple roles in our world and have been there through so many ups and downs. Sarah Hill is one of those people to me.
She’s even portrayed by Carrie Underwood in “Soul Surfer,” the Hollywood movie about my story. Sarah was my youth leader who encouraged me so much in my young faith and who was instrumental in helping me through the tragedy I faced at thirteen.
Sarah is a Christian speaker and a youth leader on the island of Kauai. She is a founding board member and the present Executive Director of my non-profit, Friends of Bethany Hamilton. Sarah has devoted her life to serving God and others.
When I was twelve or thirteen years old I met Sarah. She was a fresh face on the island, and had a laugh and fun spirit that my friends and I were drawn to. Plus, she had a car! She would pick kids up and drive them to the beach to surf.
She became involved at my church as the Youth Director and she’d put on RAD Nights for junior high students like me. RAD Nights typically involved wild and crazy games, food, and a message from the Bible. Sarah also became close with my family, coming over for dinners and hanging out.
Then, it happened. I was bitten by a shark while out surfing and rushed to the hospital with a traumatic arm amputation. My brother Noah called Sarah, and she left work and rushed to the hospital to be with my family. Sarah shared a scripture with us that day that really carried us all through and helped us see the bigger picture:
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Fast forward to being home and adjusting to life with one arm. Sarah was the one my mom would call when she noticed I was feeling down. Sarah would come over and talk, read the Bible with me, or take me on an adventure.
Sarah has been through many personal difficulties herself, from abuse as a child, to her own physical tragedy and medical issues, to the death of some of her close family members. Yet she centers her life around serving and pouring into the lives of those around her.
Sarah has found purpose in her pain and she helped me to do the same.
For who she is, how she lives her life, and what she has meant to me, I knew my friend and mentor Sarah Hill would be an amazing guest for the Blessing Others module in my Unstoppable Year online course.
I hope that you’ll join us in our conversation and be encouraged and equipped. Sarah and I chat about:
- The importance of self-care in serving others… how taking care of your own body, mind, spirit, and soul will better equip you to serve others well.
- How having an outward focused heart can bring you joy and spread joy all around you.
- How blessing others starts at home.
- The gift of freedom from self-focus that comes with blessing and serving others, even when its hard.
Living an Unstoppable life is about more than bettering ourselves – it is about blessing those around us. I hope you are blessed by all I share and send your way!
Lots of love,
