God Things: Heavenly surfers offer aid in sailing misadventure

Respect and praying on nature background prayer tile faith / Getty Images
Respect and praying on nature background prayer tile faith / Getty Images

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times Free Press is continuing a series of stories from readers about life experiences they attribute to divine intervention. We'll publish another each week as your stories continue to arrive. If you have a God Thing to share, email Life@timesfreepress.com, or mail to Life Department, Chattanooga Times Free Press, 400 E. 11th St., Chattanooga, TN 37403.

This week, Judy Halleron details a sailing misadventure that buoyed her faith.

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Many years ago when we lived and worked in Maryland, we took a long-anticipated vacation to Hawaii.

Walking on Waikiki Beach, we noticed Hobie Cats [small, two-hulled sailing catamarans] for rent. Hubby George had recently purchased one of these and had done some sailing on Chesapeake Bay, and now he really wanted to sail in Hawaii.

So after making the arrangements, we leisurely sailed away from the beach. I was hanging out on the trapeze, and we were truly enjoying ourselves. The sky was blue and the breeze was perfect for sailing. That is, until we got away from the protection of the hotels along the beach.

As the winds became stronger, we decided to turn around and head back to the beach. Every time George attempted to turn around, the sails would lose air and we would find ourselves heading farther out. After a few attempts, we were past Diamond Head, and the winds were fierce.

George tried again, this time getting up a lot of speed so we could turn quickly without losing air in the sails. Well, we turned quickly - upside down, that is - with me hanging in the trapeze under the boat. There was no way George could right the boat by himself, and I could not free myself from the straps. We were in real danger!

Suddenly, two muscular, tanned surfers came paddling by and offered to help. We were at least a mile or so from shore and had not seen any surfers for quite a while. One immediately freed me and helped me lie on his surfboard. Then the two of them easily righted the Hobie and turned it toward the beach.

With their help, we got back on the boat, and each one of the surfers lay on his board with one arm around each of the front hulls and guided us back. George was busy with the sails, and when he looked to thank the surfers, they were nowhere to be seen.

We are sure the surfers were angels. Perhaps God, in looking down at our foolishness, asked for volunteers to rescue us, and these two came. When we get to heaven, it will be exciting to meet and thank these heavenly surfers.

- Judy Halleron

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