Former pro surfer Bethany Hamilton is known around the world for her determination, her faith, and her unshakeable hope in Christ. But lately, she’s reminding families of something beautifully simple: the power of gathering around the dinner table.
In a recent Instagram video, the mom of four encouraged her followers to slow down and be present with the people they love most. “In a world that moves so fast, the table reminds us to slow down,” she wrote. “To look each other in the eye. To listen. Be present. Pray. Share stories.” She added that “the moments that matter aren’t perfect, they’re real. And they often start right here…around the table.”
For many parents, the family table is one of the few places where schedules pause and togetherness is possible. Hamilton says that’s exactly why it matters. In the caption of her post, she pointed to the example of Jesus Himself: “Jesus often met people around a table. Connection. Grace. Presence. Maybe we should follow His lead and make time for the ones we love most, because that’s where goodness happens.”
It’s a theme she talks about often—being fully present, especially with her children. In another Instagram message, Hamilton reminded parents that they don’t need to strive for perfection to make an impact. “Being present with our children matters. It’s not about getting it all right,” she wrote. “It’s about showing up consistently…especially with our attention and not always with a phone in hand.”
She encouraged moms and dads to lean into the small, everyday interactions that make kids feel loved and heard. “Listening. Being curious. Opening our ears when they rant about things they are excited about. Those little moments, I imagine, matter more than we realize.” Her encouragement was simple but powerful: “Presence matters more than perfection. Keep showing up, keep listening, and keep being there.”
Hamilton recently reflected on another meaningful moment in her life—the anniversary of the 2003 shark attack that took her left arm when she was just 13. Rather than focusing on the loss, she expressed gratitude. “I don’t even know how many years it’s been,” she wrote. “Oddly enough I lost my arm on October 31st! But grateful to God to be here loving on my fam, adventuring through life, trusting God through the ups and downs and sharing my journey with you along the way!”
That experience, she’s said, only deepened her walk with Jesus. In an interview with Beliefnet, she reflected, “I take my relationship with Him more seriously than ever.” She added, “I realize that God loves everyone sooooooo much, and that He is always looking for a voice to share about His love.”
Hamilton’s life—whether she’s at the beach with her kids, sharing wisdom online, or sitting around her own family’s table—continues to point back to her faith. With every encouragement, she reminds families that the most meaningful moments often come in the simplest places. And for her, that place is the dinner table, where love, presence, and God’s goodness come together.