Paddle & Pray

July 23, 2025

Katrielle Bauknight

"Keep my commandments and live. Keep my teaching as the apple of your eye."

Proverbs 7:2

I believe God enjoys being a part of our daily life. Even our hobbies....

Below is a story of the moment I realized God could work in one of my favorite pastimes: surfing. I hope this story encourages you to invite God into your hobbies too.

My dad taught me to surf when I was a child, and I've loved the ocean ever since. If you know surf culture, then you know about building friendships in the lineup. Conversations don't always go deep. But over time, you learn about each other's lives and genuinely look forward to seeing one another in the water.

Over the years, I built these surface-level friendships with the locals at Jetty Park. One woman in particular was always such a joy to be around. The last time I surfed with her was a Thursday morning in 2023. Four days later, I paddled out to our usual spot and looked for her in the lineup, but she wasn't there. I asked Gloria where she was, and that's when I heard the news. She died from a heart attack that weekend. In that moment, my sister and I realized that we had never talked to her about Jesus. We didn't know if she had the opportunity to know Him. The surf community had a paddle out in her memory the next weekend. That's when we met her family and found out that she was a devout Christian.

My sister and I were overjoyed knowing she is in heaven with our Savior. But, solemnly, we recognized that there are others in the water who haven't met Jesus yet. That day, we determined to intentionally invite and share Jesus while we surf. So, now in 2025, we pray when we paddle. We anticipate God reaching people in the line-up through us, and He does! Instead of surface-level friendships, we have fellowship. Over the past two years, the Lord has moved in beautiful ways in the water, and we are expectant for more.

I pray that the Lord shows you how He can work in your hobbies too.