Month: September 2026

encouragement, hope, Stress, Trust God, Uncategorized

The Potter — Part 1 – When God Is Shaping Your Life: The Potter and the Clay

The Kedge Anchor
© 2026 The Kedge Anchor

Understanding the Process When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Expected

When God created us, He had a purpose in mind.

I think about an artist creating a piece of art. An artist is usually inspired by something, and before the first brushstroke or pencil line is made, there is often a plan—a design and a purpose.

Sometimes the purpose is simply to add beauty. Sometimes it’s functional: a bowl to hold something, a cup from which to drink, a vessel to hold flowers, or a lamp to carry light.

God uses the imagery of a potter and clay to describe our relationship with Him:

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
— Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

God formed us in His image:

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’”
— Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

And Scripture tells us that God has plans for us:

“For I know the plans I have for you…”
— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Think about a potter sitting down at the wheel with a lump of clay.

Straight out of the package, the clay doesn’t have much aesthetic form. It’s soft and pliable, and because it is soft, the potter can shape and mold it.

But before the potter begins, there is already a plan, a design, and a purpose in mind.

The clay is placed on the wheel and the process begins.

It is slapped down onto the wheel and pounded. It is kneaded, much like bread dough, to get the air out. The potter works the clay for a few minutes, and as the clay is kneaded, it becomes warm and softer.

Then the clay is placed back on the wheel.

The wheel begins to turn.

The potter wraps his hands around the lump of clay and begins to give it form.

Sometimes the clay begins to dry from the friction of the potter’s hands. So the potter wets his hands and adds water to the clay, continuing to shape and form it.

Then comes the pressure.

The potter applies pressure from the top, opening up the center and hollowing out the inside. Pressure from certain points on the outside creates grooves and curves, giving the piece its shape and character.

The potter forms the lip and smooths the edges. He gives the piece one final spin, checking it and looking it over.

The wheel stops.

The potter takes a piece of string, slides it underneath the newly formed pot, and lifts it from the wheel.

The pot is taken to a shelf with other pieces to dry.

And now…nothing seems to be happening.

The clay has already been through a lot—pounding, kneading, spinning, pressure from all sides, pressure from the top, being hollowed out and shaped.

Now it simply rests.

Days pass.

Other pieces come and go, but this one remains on the shelf, waiting until the potter is ready.

Then the potter takes it down.

It is dry.

It is ready for the kiln.

The temperature inside a kiln can reach more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pot may remain there for hours. The firing process is intense, but when it is complete and everything has cooled, the potter takes the piece out and prepares it for its intended use.

And I can’t help but think about how it is with us.

How many times have we felt like that lump of clay?

Pounded.

Pressed.

Shaped.

Emptied.

Stretched.

Waiting.

Maybe you’ve been in a season where it feels like God is doing something in your life, but you don’t understand what He’s doing.

Maybe you’ve experienced pressure from every direction.

Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been emptied out.

Or maybe you’re in that place where nothing seems to be happening at all.

You’re just waiting.

But the clay doesn’t know what the potter is making.

The potter does.

God sees what we cannot see.

And maybe that’s where Romans 8:28 begins to take on a little more meaning:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him…”

Not everything that happens to us looks or feels good.

But God can work through all things.

The clay has no idea what it will become.

It only knows what it’s experiencing right now.

And sometimes, I think we’re the same way.

So pause for a moment and think about your own brokenness.

Where has it brought you?

How have you healed?

Maybe you haven’t healed yet.

Maybe you’re still in the process.

There is hope.

And there is more to this story—because there is more to our brokenness than we may realize.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

encouragement, hope, Stress, Trust God

Navigating Life’s Storms with God’s Word

The Kedge Anchor

Lighthouse #2

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Ponce Inlet Florida

I have a confession… I shared these posts in the wrong order. 🤦🏻‍♀️

But maybe that’s fitting because we are all still learning and growing. Sometimes even our little mistakes can remind us to slow down, give ourselves grace, and remember that God is still working, even in the imperfect moments.

When was the last time a situation came into your life that you weren’t expecting? Maybe you saw it coming and didn’t know how to stop it. Maybe it was completely out of your control, and there was nothing you could do to change the outcome.

Have you been there?

I know I have.

When storms come into our lives, our first instinct is often to look at the waves instead of looking for the light. We focus on what is happening around us instead of turning toward the One who is steady and faithful.

Part of the story how The Kedge Anchor got its name. Look for the short story on my social media pages,FB and IG

We see this with Peter when he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. As long as his eyes were on Jesus, he was able to do what seemed impossible. But when he noticed the wind and the waves around him, fear began to take over.

How often do we do the same thing?

We focus on the circumstances around us, the things we cannot control, and all the “what ifs” that fill our minds.

But Jesus is still there, calling us to keep our eyes on Him and to anchor ourselves in Him.

God never asked us to navigate life’s storms alone. He has given us His Word, a light to guide us when we cannot see the way ahead.

God tells us not to worry and to trust Him. And yet, in our humanness, we still worry.

I know I have caught myself getting caught up in a situation, worrying and fretting about things I cannot control. But when I finally stop, take a breath, and turn my attention back to God, that is when I can hear His still, small voice calling me back to Him.

Matthew 6:25 reminds us:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…”

And in Matthew 6:34, Jesus reminds us not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own concerns.

God’s Word contains what we need to walk through the storms this life brings our way.

 Psalms 136 remind us of God’s faithful love endures forever. 

Proverbs reminds us:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

And the Gospel reminds us of God’s unconditional love for us through Jesus – John 3:16.

I love the promise found in Matthew 28:20:

“teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (AMP). Perpetually. On every occasion. To the end of the age!!!  I love that!!!

Because when a storm hits, our faithful Father should be the first One we turn to.

So today, where are your eyes focused? Are you looking at the waves, or are you looking toward the Light?

encouragement, hope, Trust God

Finding God’s Faithfulness in Creation

The Kedge Anchor

Finding reminders of God’s faithfulness in the world around us

This is Teemu. She was barely a year old in this photo. She’s 28 now.

Have you ever wondered if God sees you? Have you felt like your prayers seem to go unanswered, your circumstances don’t make sense, and you wonder if God is paying attention? You’re not alone. Many of us have been there. I know I have. And that doesn’t mean we don’t have faith. Questions and struggles do not mean a lack faith. But we don’t have to remain trapped in doubt.

Creation reminds us that God is faithful. The birds do not wake up each morning wondering if God will provide. The squirrels in our yards do not worry about where their next meal will come from. They simply do what God created them to do, and He cares for them. Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (NIV).

Now, does that mean we will never have worries? Of course not. Job had plenty of worries. He lost his family, his health, and everything he had. He questioned, he grieved, and he struggled to understand what God was doing. But even in the middle of all that pain, Job came back to the truth that God was still in control. God is sovereign.

Job knew what it felt like to question God’s plan. He experienced deep loss and pain, yet even in his questions, he looked at creation and recognized God’s wisdom and power. He said, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8. or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.” (Job 12:7-8 NIV).

When we see the birds, the animals, the changing seasons, and all the things He has created, we are reminded that God is faithful. The same God who watches over the smallest creatures also watches over you.

My cuddle bug

Sometimes we want God to explain everything before we trust Him. We want to know the why, the when, and the how. But trust doesn’t work that way. Trust means believing that even when we don’t understand what God is doing, He understands our humanity. He knows our struggles, our questions, and our limitations. But God is still good, He is still present, and He is still in control. He most likely is using the very situation, the very season to draw you closer to Him.

God created the earth, the animals, and us, and He called it all good. He gave us the responsibility to care for His creation. The same God who cares for the birds, the fish, and all of creation cares for us too. He loves us. We are His creation.

So the next time you hear the birds singing or see the squirrels running around, maybe take a moment to remember: the Creator who cares for them is the same Creator who cares for you.

anxiety, encouragement, hope, Stress

Finding Hope in Life’s Storms: Your Guiding Light

The Kedge Anchor

Exploring the lighthouses God provides to help us navigate difficult seasons.

As I’ve been reflecting on the storms we all face at different times in our lives. I was reminded of something I wrote a couple of years ago about the lighthouses God provides along our journey.

Life’s storms can leave us feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unsure of our next step. But even in the darkest moments, God is faithful to provide reminders of His presence, His guidance, and His love.

Imagine you are out at sea on a stormy night..

The sky is dark. There are no stars shining above to guide you. Waves are crashing around you, tossing you back and forth, and there is no land in sight. For a moment, everything feels hopeless.

Then, in the distance, you see a light.

A lighthouse.

A steady beam shining through the darkness, guiding you toward shore and safety. You let out a sigh of relief. You feel encouraged. You realize, “I’m going to be okay.”

When you finally reach the shore, the fear begins to fade. The storm may still be raging, but you know you can make it through.

Have you ever felt like you were in that storm?

I know I have.

Some storms of discouragement have been brief squalls that passed quickly. Others have lingered, leaving me feeling tossed and battered by my own thoughts or by circumstances happening around me.

During those seasons, I need something to help me. Sometimes I need someone to help me.

Whether the storm is passing quickly or seems to have settled in for a while, we all need encouragement during difficult seasons.

So I want to ask you:

Who or what do you turn to when you are navigating stormy waters? What helps you find your way when there seems to be no light, no stars, and no clear direction? Who or what are your lighthouses?

I want to make it clear: I am not a counselor, and this blog is not a substitute for professional mental health care. However, our mental, emotional, and spiritual health matter. This is simply a place of encouragement where I share things that have helped me during difficult seasons.

If you feel you need to speak with a professional counselor, I encourage you to seek one who can provide the support you need.

Over the next few posts, we’ll explore some “lighthouses” that can help us find encouragement, wisdom, and hope during life’s storms.

Lighthouse #1: Trusted Friends and Family

God created us for community.

There are times when we need to reach out to others and allow them to walk alongside us. Having a support system is not a sign of weakness; it is part of how God designed us.

For many years, there has been a stigma around mental health struggles and seeking help. Thankfully, that stigma is beginning to fade. More people are recognizing that reaching out for counseling or support during difficult seasons is not a failure — sometimes it is a wise and courageous step.

It is okay to feel sad. It is okay to feel angry, anxious, or discouraged. God created us with emotions, and He understands what we experience.

He is not surprised by our struggles. He is not angry when we feel overwhelmed. He invites us to pour out our hearts to Him.

Jesus understands our emotions because He experienced them Himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion, Jesus experienced deep sorrow and anguish (Matthew 26:36-46). He understands you because He created you.

More importantly, He loves you and wants to help you.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” — John 3:16

Sometimes people try to encourage us by saying, “You just need more faith.”

But faith is not about never struggling. Jesus only asks for faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). Even in moments of doubt, He meets us where we are.

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” — Matthew 9:23-24

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

At some point, we all face discouragement, anxiety, or seasons where we feel overwhelmed. Feeling this way does not mean you are weak or that you lack faith.

But we do need to be mindful of where those thoughts lead us. We have an enemy who wants us to doubt God’s goodness and believe we are alone. That began with the deception of Eve in Genesis 3.

You are not weak because you need encouragement.

Sometimes we simply need a lighthouse.

Sometimes we need someone to remind us that we are not alone.

Who is part of your support system? Who can you reach out to when the storm gets rough?

And if you find yourself without that support, consider finding a local Bible-believing church where you can build relationships, serve, and become part of a community.

And if you know someone who may be feeling lonely or discouraged, reach out. A simple message, prayer, or conversation may be the light they need in the middle of their storm.

In the posts to come, we’ll continue exploring the lighthouses God provides to help us navigate the stormy seas of life.

This post was inspired by “Wisdom for Mental Health” from YouVersion.