About

The Kedge Anchor – Anchored in Hope

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul…” Hebrews 6:19

About

Welcome to the Kedge Anchor. This blog started from a time in my life where I no longer liked changes. Changes, like the waves in the ocean, can turn us upside down sometimes and the currents of this life can take us to places we really didn’t intend to go or want to go. But changes are a part of life and the older I get the less I like them. Maybe you can relate. Sometimes storms form over the ocean and totally churn up our lives like the ocean floor. And when all is finally over, we feel depleted, drained, exhausted. Turning to God’s word first is always a good place to start and gain footing again. And sometimes God leads us to other sources for encouragement, family, friends, church family, and oddly enough, for me, back to the still calm waters (of the ocean where the changes can start all over again). 

Kedging is a nautical term “to draw (a vessel) along by hauling in on the cable of a light anchor that has been dropped at some distance from it, or (of a vessel) to be drawn in this fashion”(https://www.thefreedictionary.com/kedging). Kedging is done in calm waters when one needs the boat to move forward or in the case when one is going against the wind. The sailor casts the kedge anchor out in the waters and pulls the boat towards the anchor.

In a season of wait, when we feel like we are at a stand still and perhaps we aren’t hearing God’s voice or when we are in the middle of the storm, we can draw to Him. (James 4:8) We can cast our anchor (of hope) out and take a step in faith toward God, read the Bible, recall a favorite verse, and cling to His words. He is our anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19). When the storms and currents of life are changing our course and we find ourselves going against the wind, or if we are in a season of wait, we can remain steadfast in His Word and anchored in His love. 

But wait, there’s more about The Kedge Anchor. You may have seen Caryn’s Corner Boutique on social media. I have decided to merge these two projects. My art has always been a part of me but even more is Jesus. I love Jesus and I love art and wanted to combine the two..

Hebrews 6:19 and James 4:8 are kind of the foundational verses for KA and my art. “Draw” in James 4:8 actually means bring near or approach. But for me drawing, painting, lettering, making something helps me be present and mindful, it helps me be reflective especially if I am lettering a verse. It helps me draw near to God.

Years ago, I had purchased a book The Non-Designers Design Book by Robin Williams (not the Robin Williams) and in this book Robin points out four design principles. As I reflected on these four design principles I began to think; I can apply them to my walk with Jesus. This is where art meets scripture and we can design our life with Jesus, because after all “He is the plan for our lives.” (a quote from Mike Donehey’s book “Finding God’s Life for My Will”).

Contrast – Romans 12:2 – Don not be conformed to this world

Alignment – Matthew 6:33 – Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Proximity – James 4:8 Draw near to God…

Repetition – As Christians we are to read God’s word daily. We are to pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray needs to be a daily thing. It’s a way of communicating with God. In order to know someone, you need to talk to them. So I thought, if I lived daily in contrast to this world, in alignment with God and stay close, in proximity to Him daily, repeating this pattern daily then I’d draw close to Him and know Him more.

A couple of years ago I came across a Surface Pattern Design class online. You see it everywhere, on fabric, wrapping paper, notebooks. Repeating patterns can cover a large surface area, like comforters, curtains, area rugs. I figure if I repeated this pattern of living in contrast to the world, in alignment to God’s word, inclose proximity to Him everyday, that would draw me closer to God and maybe I’d be able to shine God’s love and light on others, maybe I could cover a larger surface.

My prayer is that God will use KA and my art to reach people’s hearts and the far corners of the world to share His Gospel and Salvation. God can use anything and anyone and I’m just putting myself out there, it can be scary sometimes. But when change comes or if I’m in a season of wait I can use my “anchors” to stabilize me and draw me closer to God.

Be encouraged. You are not alone.

Words of Encouragement

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