I have always had a strong connection to anchors. My daddy served in the US Navy for many years and then went on to run all of the recreation for the sailors on the base in Orlando. My stomping grounds. Both of my parents worked on the base while I played at Little Navy World Day Care Center. My first concert was on that base, every July 4th, my childhood. The anchor became a symbol of a great community, courage, and strength. All things I saw when I looked at my daddy.

He was 50 when I was born and so I had the unique joy of having a daddy who, at times, acted very much like a grandpa would. We were inseparable. Since he was older, I always feared losing him. As a young girl, I found myself waking up in the middle of the night and running into my parents’ room to just make sure he was breathing.  It became my nightly ritual.

In my early 20s, I came face-to-face with my greatest fear.  After having surgery for bladder cancer, Daddy didn’t make it. My mom, sister, niece, and I were rocked. Any sense of stability was gone. I lost not only my daddy but my best friend. My purpose. Almost 19 years later, I’m crying just as hard as I share with you. After losing daddy, I didn’t even know what to do with my life. I felt hopeless. Nothing made sense. Nothing mattered.

In that time, God began to reveal to me through Christian radio and going back to church that I wasn’t alone. I started to believe his promises. I began to have hope again.  Hope that I somehow still had a purpose in a world I no longer wanted to be in.  I began to accept his love and live my life for Him.  Every day I walk through challenges, but I know I’m no longer alone. 

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul. Firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19

Community, courage, and strength.  When I see an anchor, I’m reminded not only of an amazing earthy father who made me who I am, but also my awesome Creator who made me with a purpose.

Sweet friend, our God can be trusted.  He is never changing.  He is hope. No matter what you are walking through he wants you to turn to Him. Let him love you even in the moments when you don’t love yourself. Let Him anchor your weary soul. He’s not done with you.

Feel free to share with a friend! 💕