Category: Uncategorized

anxiety, Fear, Uncategorized

Back to School – Part 2

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

In Part 1, I shared my memories of the first day of school and how much anxiety came with it. I worried about making a mistake, breaking a rule, or disappointing my teacher.

Looking back, I realize I sometimes approached my relationship with God the same way. I wanted to please Him, but I was afraid of getting it wrong.

But God doesn’t leave us guessing. He has given us His Word to teach us, guide us, and help us understand what pleases Him.

So the question is: What does it really look like to live a life that pleases God?.

I believe a lot of times we are looking for something specific. We seek God’s will for our lives. What does He want me to do specifically? While I do believe He a permissive will for us and a perfect will for us, I tend to think we can get too caught up in that. I know there have been times where I didn’t take a step or do anything because I was a afraid it would be the wrong thing. We make plans, but God directs our steps, Proverbs 16:9. If we have a pure heart about a decision, if it’s not where God wants us, He will direct us on the right path.

Our faith is what pleases God. Faith comes by the word of God. I thinks it’s so easy to get wrapped up in God’s plan. Living in fear of doing the wrong thing, worrying about the consequences. I think it was Charles Stanley who said, “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.” God will direct our steps, He’s got our backs if we are truly following Him.

Mike Donehey wrote a book, Finding My Life for God’s Will, he says that maybe God isn’t giving us specifics of the plans for us, because He is the plan. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life…!” Highly recommend this book! (and I’m not getting paid to say that)

So unlike those first days of school when I worried about making a mistake and ending up in trouble, I don’t have to walk through life afraid of getting everything wrong with God.

My job is not to figure out every detail of the plan before I take a step. My job is to trust Him, seek Him, obey His Word, and follow where He leads.

The Teacher has given us the syllabus. The lessons are right there in His Word. We just need to show up, listen, and be willing to learn.

And thankfully, we don’t have to learn alone. God is with us every step of the way.

encouragement, Stewardship, Uncategorized

The Master Artist Isn’t Finished Yet

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Antoni Gonzalez on Pexels.com

In last week’s post, Don’t Waste the Blessing, I wrote about not wasting our blessings. We need to be good stewards of our resources. Proverbs 12:27 says “Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.” (NLT). After all the work of catching their game, they don’t even bother to cook it and it goes to waste.

I think we are all guilty of this at times. I know I am. When dealing with chronic migraines and the nausea that usually goes with it, food tends to go to waste. I try to plan and freeze food when I can. I’m not always successful. I feel just as guilty about not using some of my art supplies. Having too many supplies can actually be overwhleming and can limit my creativity because there are too many choices. 

I don’t like to waste food or art supplies. Sometimes, I don’t always finish or like what I make, so I try to recycle it make it into something else. 

As I meditated on this and on Proverbs 12:27 another verse came to mind. Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” God finishes what He starts. He redeems us, transforms our lives, makes us new. He does this because He loves us and He sees value in us, in our lives. 

Genesis 1:27 says He created us in His own image. This verse reveals that being made in God’s image gives every person inherent value and dignity.

Matthew 10:31: “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” This verse shows us of our worth in God’s eyes, highlighting that we are cherished and cared for.

And His ultimate expression of His love for us, He sacrificed His only Son to die for us so that we can be cleansed from sin and live with Him for all eternity, John 3:16.

  He won’t stop working in us. He is always shaping us, molding us into His image, and completing the work He began.

Just like an artist looks at a messy experiment and sees possibility, God looks at us and sees the person He is creating us to be. He doesn’t discard us because we are imperfect, unfinished, or still growing. He sees the value He placed within us when He created us in His image.

The same God who calls us to be good stewards of the blessings in our hands is the God who lovingly tends to our hearts and our lives. He restores what is broken, redeems what seems wasted, and transforms what is unfinished into something beautiful for His purpose.

So as we look at the things God has entrusted to us — our time, our resources, our gifts, and even ourselves — may we remember that nothing He creates is without value.

We are His workmanship, Ephesians 2:10 and the One who began the work is faithful to complete it.

encouragement, hope, rest, Uncategorized

Anchored Between Silence and Sound

The Kedge Anchor
Rusty anchor partially buried in pebbled beach with ocean waves and a colorful sunset sky
Maybe peace isn’t found when the noise disappears.
Maybe peace is found when we know what holds us steady while the noise continues. ⚓

Shortly after writing this blog post about being still I went over to IG since I hadn’t been there in while. I came across a post by Dave Adamson a.k.a. Aussie Dave. In his IG post on June 29th he talks about how the Western Wall changed his perspective about “quiet time” with God. And after reading his post and reviewing what I wrote – we’re both not wrong or right. He always thought quiet time was just that and what many of us envision it to be. Silently praying,  silently reading and perhaps silently journaling. And he brings up a good point, perhaps quiet isn’t how it’s thought to be. It was when he visited the Western Wall Jewish men and boys weren’t reading silently. They were reading the Torah aloud and discussing it, he says even wrestling with it – together. The Hebrew word we translate as “read” actually means to call out or proclaim. 

He points out that Jesus read scripture in publicly in the Synagogue. And Paul told Timothy to devote himself to read scripture in public. He points out that ‘faith comes by hearing” in Romans 10:17. Scripture is meant to be read quietly as well as be spoken out loud. 

Aussie Dave ain’t wrong and I’m not right. Honestly it’s when I am sharing and living out  my faith that the words I have read become real and anchored. 

Maybe the invitation isn’t to choose between silence and sound, but to recognize that God meets us in both. There are moments when we need to be still enough to listen, to sit with His Word, and allow it to take root in our hearts. And there are moments when we need to speak it, share it, wrestle with it, and live it out among others.

Perhaps stillness isn’t about the absence of noise. Perhaps it’s about creating space for God’s voice to become clearer — whether that happens in the quiet of a room, the conversation around a table, or the faithful act of proclaiming what He has placed on our hearts.

The words we read are not meant to remain on a page. They are meant to transform us. They are meant to be carried, spoken, and lived.

So maybe the question isn’t, “Am I doing quiet time the right way?” Maybe the better question is, “Am I making room for God to meet me — and am I allowing His Word to work in me and transform me be it in the sounds or in silence?

Because whether whispered in stillness or spoken out loud publicaly, His Word is alive.

encouragement, hope, prayer, Uncategorized

Anchored in the Silence

The Kedge Anchor

Silence. It can be deafening sometimes. It can be uncomfortable. Many times in conversation we feel the need to fill the pauses. Many times silence speaks louder than words. 

Psalm 46:10  – “…Be still and know that I am God…” In Hebrew,  according to biblehub.com “Be still” means sink, relax. Sometimes that can be the hardest and the last thing I want to do. 

Yet, it’s in the chaos, in the storm I need to be still. Jesus isn’t always going to calm the waters, maybe not right away, maybe in a while – in His time.

Most times, even when I am choosing to be still, shutting out the wandering thoughts, the to do list, the what if’s, the noise of the day – it’s hard. Focusing is hard especially after a migraine my brain is foggy and tired. All I can think about is what I need to catch up on.

Being still and sitting in silence to me is like staring at a blank canvas or a blank page in a journal. It can be paralyzing and scary. Why is it my mind can blank at that but in silence I can come up with the worstest (it’s a word, I just made it up) scenarios. But that is neither what I want to write about, paint on a canvas or think about. Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” 

“Meditate on these things.” Prayer is a form of meditation, just remember to leave some space for God to respond. Recalling scripture and God’s faithfulness are always a good things to meditate on. 

Maybe silence isn’t meant to be filled. Maybe it is meant to be surrendered. (There’s that word again).

The blank space that feels uncomfortable, the pause that feels awkward, the stillness that makes our minds race,  those are often the very places where God invites us to meet Him.

An anchor does not prove its strength when the waters are calm. It proves its strength when the storm comes and the waves are pulling hard. Maybe being still is not about having a quiet life or a quiet mind. Maybe it is about knowing where we are anchored when life is anything but quiet.

So today, I want to practice sitting in the silence,  not because I have everything figured out, not because the noise has disappeared, but because I know Who is there with me.

“Be still and know…”

Not be still and understand everything.
Not be still and have all the answers.
Just be still and know.

Know that He is God.
Know that He is faithful.
Know that even in the silence, He is near.

hope, Uncategorized

Intentional Living, One Step at a Time

The Kedge Anchor
Open door leading to a cozy living room with an armchair, bookshelf, lamp, and fireplace

I used to think showing up was the win. Now I think it’s just the doorway.

Since my last post, I have been intentional about showing up. And as usual, when I do that, when I sit down to do anything I need to do, especially creative work or time with God, voices enter the scene.

I hear: “You shouldn’t be doing this… what about laundry?” Like Lisa Simpson having to organize her CDs first. IYKYK. Or “Why bother, no one cares.” And the classic: “You’re not good enough.”

All distractions. All lies.

Showing up requires intention and preparation. My corner of our shared office, or really my little studio corner, needed organization. I didn’t want to work in a space where I couldn’t access my art supplies. There was no room to spread out, and it became frustrating.

So I changed it.

One day while my husband was at work (he had to be for me to do this, his allergies… OY!), I rearranged the layout and organized my supplies. It’s still a work in progress, but I have to admit, it is so much better. (I have a few photos I’ll share in another post.)

Once things were more organized and accessible, I felt more encouraged to actually go in there and create.

Some days I have a specific project in mind. Other days, I just make marks on paper—paint, markers, or hand-letter a verse of Scripture. And there are days when a migraine shows up, and that’s when I give myself grace. Pushing through migraine pain has never benefitted me, or anyone else, for that matter.

I used to think showing up was the win. Now I think it’s just the doorway.

I’ve started applying the same mindset to my time with God. I’m not just “showing up” – I come prepared, usually with my Bible and a favorite pen. There was a time I would simply open Scripture anywhere and read whatever landed in front of me. But now I have a plan.

One of my goals was to read the Bible all the way through. My mom gave me a chronological Bible a few years ago for my birthday, and I only made it halfway through.

Now I’m more intentional. In January, I bought a journal and decided I wanted to create a kind of junk journal as I read. I write notes on passages that speak to me, not as a theology student or someone in seminary, but simply as someone listening for God along the way. I add notes, doodles, and small decorations to the pages. It helps me remember, and it draws me back in later.

Showing up in my office/studio space has become more inviting. I’m more prepared to work on projects and to journal.

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” – Proverbs 22:3  To me, this speaks to being intentional and aware with how I use my time, choosing what deserves my attention, instead of moving forward on autopilot.  I’m trying to be more discerning with my time, intentional about when I create, when I rest, and when I simply let an idea come through.

Uncategorized

Showing Up: The First Step to Meaningful Action

The Kedge Anchor
Open journal with handwritten notes and pen beside steaming coffee cup on wooden windowsill overlooking sunrise over countryside.
Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead – James 2:17

There’s a phrase I keep hearing lately: “Just show up.” Apparently it’s the secret to consistency, growth, and success. And yes, showing up matters. But what happens after you arrive? So I show up, now what? Showing up is only half the story. The other half? Courage. Action. Actually doing the thing once you’re there. Showing up without following through, without engaging, can feel…empty, lost. Just showing up to class isn’t going to get you an “A”. You need your books, your notes, a pen. You need to listen to the lecture and engage with the class. Without action, showing up is, well, like I said, empty.

If answered prayers came from simply showing up, faith would be easy. What would I gain each day if I thought that simply showing up with my Bible and journal would make me a Bible scholar—without actually opening my Bible, reading it, or making notes? Where would that take me? Not very far.  I apply the same idea to making art. I make art because I showed up, and now I have a space to act, to create, to reflect what’s inside me. I try to be intentional but sometimes just “playing” is all that’s necessary.  And sometimes it’s messy, many times it’s imperfect—but it’s real. Sometimes I actually have an aha moment.  “Showing up” becomes a small step to being consistent.

And here’s the tricky part: showing up and doing while tired counts even more. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of my mental health. Pushing myself past what’s reasonable, past my bandwidth, doesn’t make me disciplined—it just makes me more tired and drained. God understands when I am tired or struggling with something. He gives me grace.  And I have to give myself grace when I’m too tired to paint or make art. Those are good moments to pray, listen to a sermon or podcast, or hear Scripture read aloud.

For me, showing up has become a practice of balance. I open my Bible. I journal. I grab a few art supplies. I read some commentaries I value. And I shut out all the other voices—the noise, the chaos, the endless “steps” that overwhelm me.

 So yes. Showing up alone isn’t enough. But it’s where it begins. Showing up opens the door. What we do afterward is what changes us.

Uncategorized

The Power of Curated Learning: Less Noise, More Insight

The Kedge Anchor

I’ve been thinking a lot about the noise in learning these days—the endless “how-to” lists, step-by-step guides, and voices telling me what I should read or do. It’s exhausting, and at times, it overwhelmed me.

I have to be honest: a lot of that overwhelm is on me. I fall for the marketing, the shiny promises, and the fear of missing out on what someone else has to say. That’s my responsibility. I have to shut it down and choose what truly deserves my attention.

So I’ve started slowing down. Just me, my Bible, my journal, a few art supplies, and carefully selected commentaries or resources. I’ve had to make choices what to read, who to listen to, which voices actually stick. The ones that don’t add meaningful insight don’t get a seat at the table.

As I read, especially in the Old Testament, I notice things in a new way:

  • I catch verses that cross-reference others, sometimes in ways I’ve never realized even when the margin notes point them out.
  • Familiar stories take on fresh meaning. Take Samson, for instance. Delilah asks him where his strength comes from. Most imagine him as a huge, muscular man. But I can’t help but picture him as tall and lean strong in a different way. That shift changes the story for me.
  • I watch God’s plan unfold in 1 Samuel. I see the Israelites repeating mistakes, yet God remains faithful to provide for them. And sometimes, I see myself in them flawed, forgetful, but loved and guided.

Slowing down like this—curating my inputs, reflecting in my journal, letting the text breathe is opening up insights I’d missed before. Clarity grows in quiet spaces. Depth matters more than breadth. And my pace? It’s enough.

Choosing what and who to let in doesn’t just protect my focus it shapes my learning in a way that’s meaningful and lasting. Growth isn’t about absorbing everything; it’s about absorbing what matters.

Thanks for stopping by and reading, you can follow me on Substack @anchorangel ⚓️😇

Uncategorized

Finding God in the Chaos: A Journey Beyond Devotionals

The Kedge Anchor

I almost didn’t start this.
Not because I don’t have anything to say—but because everything I see online feels like noise.
“Do this.” “Try that.” “The one simple thing to fix your focus.”
Devotionals. Study plans. Hacks. Step-by-step guides.
And I get it—some of it helps. But lately, it’s felt like too much.
Life with God hasn’t felt neat lately. Not bullet points. Not systems. Not quick fixes.

I ditched the devotionals and started reading the Bible in chronological order. I’ve also been taking my time, sticking to a reading plan and journaling in a junk journal sort of way. Visuals help me remember and recall.
That’s the only devotional I really need.
Not that I’m knocking devotionals—they can be helpful—but there’s only one voice I really want to hear: God’s.

So this isn’t another “how-to.”
It’s just me showing up, sharing what I’m walking through, and what I’m holding onto in the middle of it.
Some days it will be clear. Some days unfinished. Most days somewhere in between.

If you’re trying to stay grounded without needing another system… you’re not alone.
I’m just trying to stay anchored. That’s it.

PS: If you want to read along as I figure this out, you’re welcome to subscribe. No pressure, just showing up together.


encouragement, social media, Uncategorized, Wisdom

Don’t Stop Scrolling — Slow It Down

The Kedge Anchor

Choosing intention over distraction in your daily scroll

We’ve all seen the posts:

“Stop scrolling.”
“Put down your phone.”

And then they go on to tell us how damaging it can be emotionally, physically, to our relationships, and even to our spirituality.

We fall down rabbit holes.
We lose hours doomscrolling.
We get angry.
We fall for lies.

Our necks are bent down, our shoulders are tight, never looking up to see what’s going on around us, and by the time we realize it, we’re slumped over, discouraged, and wondering where the time went. We’ve wasted hours, strained our posture, and started to believe—God knows what.

Now, those are all well meaning posts. The creators want to help. They want to share how choosing to put down their phones has helped them learn a new skill, reconnect with friends and family, feel less anxious, or even get into better shape because they swapped scrolling for strolling outside.

But… how would we know any of this if we weren’t scrolling?

Kind of ironic.

If I told you to put down your phone and stop scrolling, you would most likely never see any of my posts. That kind of defeats my purpose of digital marketing and connecting with others online.

Technology, in and of itself, isn’t the enemy. We have a wealth of information in the palm of our hands. I used to spend hours at the library collecting information for school reports, lugging around books and flipping through pages. Now I can sit in the comfort of my own home and quickly look up how something works or find a definition.

I can learn new things to improve my art.
I can be inspired.
I can stay connected with loved ones.

For me, one of the best parts is having access to Biblical references, devotionals, and even meditation apps like Abide. I can also volunteer online and encourage others who are going through difficult seasons of life.

Social media has its pros and cons. It’s up to us how we engage with it responsibly.

So instead of stopping our scroll, maybe we just need to slow it.

Here are a few ways to be more intentional online:

Time yourself.
Set a timer on your phone—or better yet, somewhere else in the house—so you actually have to get up to shut it off.

Check your screen time.
Most phones provide a weekly report that shows how much time you’ve spent scrolling. It can be eye-opening.

Have an accountability partner.
Find someone who will encourage you to be intentional with your time online.

Curate your feed.
Be intentional about what shows up in your social media. My feeds consist of art tutorials, devotionals, beach and ocean groups, animals, food, migraines, and of course, my family and friends. I block anything that stirs up unnecessary anger, sadness, or negativity.

There are plenty of content creators whose goal is simply to stir things up. You don’t have to give them your time or attention.

If you know me, you know I love to volunteer. There are actually ways to do that from the comfort of your own home thanks to technology.

I volunteer as a Digital Outreach Volunteer for Focus on the Family. Each week I respond to posts on social media platforms from people who are looking for answers to some of life’s harder situations. It’s a simple way to spread God’s love, share His Gospel, and plant seeds of hope.

The internet can be a dark place that needs God’s light. That’s why it’s important for me to be mindful of what I’m doing online. It’s so easy to say, “Let me just check one thing on Facebook,” and before I know it, three hours have passed and I’ve accomplished… nothing.

To help you slow your scroll, I’ve created a free phone wallpaper as a reminder to be intentional about how you spend your time online. Feel free to download and share it.

There are some really great things we can learn from social media. I’m not saying stick your head in the sand. If you needed to lose weight, I wouldn’t tell you to stop eating—I would advise you on how to do it in a healthy way.

The same goes for scrolling.

Scroll responsibly.

What do you do to help yourself be more intentional online? Leave it in the comments and share what works for you.

Until then,
Anchor in Hope.

Uncategorized

What’s New in 2026? Anchor Notes!

The Kedge Anchor

In a post last week I posted some changes coming to the Kedge Anchor in 2026. When I first started this blog, I used to create coloring pages and digital wallpapers to help with scripture memorization. I wasn’t getting much feedback from them so I moved on since they were a little time consuming to create every week. And since The Kedge Anchor is about encouraging others I wanted to go more in that direction. Which lead me to create The Anchor Angel Project, with the help of some inspiration from a friend 🥰. Sooooo I started creating and sending Anchor Notes which are just small images that can be sent via email, text, messenger. Kinda like a meme but these are intentional to anchor truth and encourage others. Some may be humorous or for a special occasion, such as a birthday or holiday. And after starting my YouTube channel making videos and shorts I discovered that that is something I enjoy. You’ll see more to come from that.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

So here’s the first Anchor Note of 2026 from the You Have Been Prayed For series, free to download and share with whom ever you like, just click on the image and save to your device. (If you are on a desktop right click and save)

So every month I will post an Anchor Note for you to download and share.

However, this is not instead of making and sending actual greeting cards but to supplement them. Not everyone we know is connected digitally and those who are might need some old fashioned reaching out. I will still continue to create greeting cards and send them out and make tutorials.

There is more to come. I have some more ideas to share but I’m rolling them out one by one. The older i get the more I don’t like changes. But, I am learning that change is how we grow and sometimes it takes failure after failure to make those changes. I think y’all might like what’s new for 2026.😊