Tag: hopeanchor

encouragement, healing, hope

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: The Potter and the Clay — Part 2

The Kedge Anchor

What Do We Do When Life Doesn’t Turn Out How We Expected?

©The Kedge Anchor 2026

Last week, we followed a lump of clay through the hands of a potter.

We watched as the clay was pounded and kneaded, shaped and formed on the wheel, placed on the shelf to dry, and eventually fired in the kiln.

When the potter took the finished piece from the kiln, it was ready for its intended purpose.

But the potter wasn’t finished creating.

He decided he wanted another pot.

This one would be bigger and taller, able to accommodate the flowers bursting from his garden. He wanted it to complement the first pot while adding more contrast to the room with a different shape and color.

The potter began working on the second pot.

He pounded and kneaded the clay, removing the air pockets. Then he placed it on the wheel and began to shape it.

His hands worked the clay, adding pressure and water as he formed it. He opened the center, pulled the clay upward, carefully formed the walls, shaped the lip and smoothed the edges.

When he was satisfied with the shape, he lifted the pot from the wheel and placed it on the shelf waiting for it to dry.

Days passed.

When the pot was completely dry, the potter placed it in the kiln for firing.

After the firing was complete, he waited for the kiln to cool before carefully removing the pot.

It was beautiful.

It was exactly what he had envisioned.

He filled it with flowers from his garden and placed it in the room beside the first pot.

But one day, the second pot was accidentally fell over.

It fell hard.

And it broke.

The potter gathered the pieces.

He carefully examined what was left and began putting the pieces back together. Some pieces fit perfectly. Others required more work, a little sanding here and there to smooth some rough edges. He arranged the pieces so that a hole was right in the center.

The cracks from where the pot had broken created beautiful lines. The potter painted those cracks with gold paint and added some leaves, creating a vine that wound its way around the pot. The broken pieces had become part of its beauty.

When he was finished, the pot wasn’t exactly the same as it had been before.

There were places where the broken pieces had changed its appearance. But the potter didn’t see it as ruined.

The candle’s light shone through the places where the pot had been broken and repaired.

The pot had a new purpose.

And perhaps that’s something worth remembering.

Stay tuned for Part 3. There’s more to this story.

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.

hope, Trust God

Be Careful Where You Put Your But.

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Andreea Andrei on Pexels.com

Have you ever heard someone give you a compliment and then add the word “but”?

“You did a great job, but…”

“I appreciate what you did, but…”

Suddenly, everything before the “but” seems to disappear. One little word has the power to shift our focus from what was good to what was lacking.

I never expected a simple word to teach me something about my faith. But as I started paying attention to how we use the word “but,” I realized it can reveal more than just our communication style—it can reveal where we place our trust.

Because sometimes we do the same thing with God.

“I trust You, but…”

“I know You are faithful, but…”

“I believe You will provide, but…”

Our “but” can become the place where fear, doubt, or the need to control creeps in.

The word itself isn’t the problem. It’s what comes after it. There is a big difference between “God, but…” and “But God…”

One keeps our focus on the obstacle. The other reminds us that God is greater than the obstacle.

Didn’t set out for this post to become a lesson in communication but there is something to be learned here spiritually as well. I was talking with someone a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly the topic was about planning. The person I was speaking with was concerned that not enough planning had been done for something. So I suggested, just trust God it will all work out. The reply was, “Trust God but…” that’s where I had to interrupt. Trust God but. Oooo, that’s dangerous. It sounded like God wasn’t big enough. We have a big God who sees the big picture. We have a God that goes before us and paves a way for us. We can plan six ways to Sunday, we can make all the plans we want BUT GOD, directs our steps. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16: 9.

Check out this article.

See how this can be applied spiritually? Man can plan BUT the Lord directs. The “but God” negates whatever we plan. That’s not to say we shouldn’t, we should plan, BUT GOD will directs our steps and provide. And if for some reason if we have done all we think we can do to plan for something, we as humans can forget, we aren’t perfect. God will provide whatever it is we may have overlooked, He will make it work. Because, Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

So be careful where you put your “but.” Whether you are giving praise or trusting God for something, stop and think, is going to be “God but…” or “But God…?”

Gratitude, healing, Trust God

When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned: A Journey to Contentment

The Kedge Anchor

Sometimes disappointment doesn’t come because something went wrong; it comes because life didn’t turn out the way we imagined. We make plans, imagine our future, and settle into what feels comfortable, only to find ourselves in circumstances we never expected. We wonder how we can find peace when the place, season, or situation we are in doesn’t look anything like what we hoped for.

Recently, I read an article by Karen DelTatto in an email from iBelieve.com that reminded me of my own struggle. Through her own experience of moving into a home and neighborhood that wasn’t what she originally envisioned, she discovered that God’s blessings were not limited to the place she thought she wanted to be. Her story caused me to reflect on my own journey and the places God has planted me along the way.

My husband and I have moved several times throughout our marriage, but Virginia was never a place we imagined calling home. After spending more than 30 years in Florida, leaving was a much bigger adjustment than I expected. It wasn’t because I didn’t appreciate what we had there. I knew how blessed we were. I treasured the warmth, the ocean, the familiar places, the memories we had built, and the life God had given us. That was part of what made the transition so difficult. I wasn’t leaving something I disliked; I was leaving a place that had become home.

I tried to make Virginia feel like home, but there were many moments when I wondered, “Will this ever feel like home?”

But God.

God began to show me blessings I wasn’t always looking for. He provided a wonderful church family and placed people around me who have encouraged me, served alongside me, and reminded me that home is not just a location. He blessed us with great neighbors, and He provided a job for my husband where he is valued and encouraged.

I still miss Florida. I still miss the ocean, the warmth, and the familiarity of a place where we had built so many memories. If I am being honest, I can’t say I love Virginia the way I loved Florida. But God is teaching me that contentment does not mean we love every circumstance we are in. Contentment means trusting that God is present in every circumstance.

As I reflected on Karen’s story, I was reminded that sometimes the place we don’t choose is the very place where God is working. She discovered blessings in the neighborhood she didn’t originally want, and I am learning to recognize blessings in the place God has brought us.

This also made me think about Paul. His circumstances were far beyond anything I have experienced. Prison was not where Paul planned to be, yet from that place he wrote words that continue to challenge us today:

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” — Philippians 4:11

Paul didn’t find contentment because his circumstances were easy. He found contentment because he knew God was with him.

I am still learning contentment. I still miss Florida, but I am learning that my peace cannot be anchored in a location. My peace is anchored in Christ.

What about you? Have you ever found yourself in a place or season you didn’t choose, but God showed you blessings you didn’t expect? I’d love to hear what He taught you. Leave a comment below.

anxiety, Fear, Obedience

How to Please God: Lessons from the First Day of School – Part 1

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.com

There was always a feeling of anxiousness going back to school. That first day was always rough. Sometimes I’d hear rumors of how hard my homeroom teacher was going to be and stories from other students the nightmare that homeroom class was for them the year before.

It was always nice to be a little early and see some old friends and kids I hadn’t seen all summer, for a brief moment I would forget about being anxious. Then the bell would ring and all the students would walk into their classrooms. I’d be anticipating the teacher walking in or if the teacher was already there, I’d be accessing his or her mood.

I was always afraid that I would accidentally break a rule, make the teacher mad and send me to the principal’s office get detention and then when I got home, be reprimanded again. But isn’t that just like us humans to catastrophize everything, even as kids.

My goal was to do well in school, make my teacher and parents happy, make some friends and have some fun. But I still had this fear and worry I would do something wrong. I didn’t want to make my teacher mad or break a rule. I lived in fear those first few days of a new school year.

As a Christian, now, all I want to do is love God and obey His word. But I have to admit if I have the wrong perspective, I can live in fear of God. We are to have a reverent fear, an awe of God. Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I do have a reverent fear of God. He is in control, He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is sovereign and righteous. Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

All I want to do is please God, every day. But I know I am a sinner and I can’t be perfect. God sacrificed His Son to die for us and pay the penalty of sin, so that we can live with Him forever in eternity. Now if someone saved me from a burning building, rescued my from a sinking ship, whatever, I would be forever grateful to that person. I would welcome that person into my life as part of my family, I would stay in contact and give back however I could. The same is for me with God. He saved me from death and gave me eternal life and all I had to do was accept Him and receive the gift of salvation. He is my life, I stay in constant contact and try to give back when I can however I can.

So how do I please God? What can I do to make Him happy? After all it’s only His approval I seek. It’s only His approval that matters. Like the first day of school, I live in awe of God and sovereignty. Unlike the first day of school, I don’t have any anxiety about making a mistake or making God mad. But I began to think, what does make God happy? What do I do to please Him?

I want to obey His word, His commandments. God gave us His word, the Bible. It contains everything we need to know about Him and how to live for Him. But what is that exactly?

The Ten Commandments were the first set of guidelines to live by. After Jesus came to the earth, He narrowed those down to two. Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.“ Ok so there’s two. That’s not all.
Here are some other things I have found.

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Outside of the fact God is telling us not to be anxious (Do not be anxious, I believe that is in command form, He’s not suggesting, He’s telling us not to be anxious. Easier said than done, that’s a discussion for another time). So God wants us to communicate with Him about everything always.

Hebrews 11:6 – “ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” and faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God, Romans 10:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” Just exactly what that means. But prayer and talking to God isn’t always bowing our heads and folding our hands. (Another discussion for anther time).

1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” Being hospitable, that’s easy, without complaint, not always easy.

Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;” Your wealth may not be thousands of dollars in the bank. God just wants you give back and mange what He has given you.

James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Romans 14:17-18 – “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

There are so many more ways we can please God, and this post is already getting long. I think this is a topic I will continue exploring.

Looking back, I realize I spent so much time worrying about disappointing my teachers, breaking a rule, or making a mistake. But God is not waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us. He wants us to learn, grow, and draw closer to Him.

Yes, we should have a reverent fear of God because He is holy and sovereign. But we also have the incredible privilege of knowing Him as our loving Father.

Just like the first day of school, we may feel nervous stepping into a new season. But unlike those first days in the classroom, we don’t have to walk in afraid. God walks with us, teaches us, and guides us.

What are some things you have found in Scripture that show us how to please God? I’d love for you to share in the comments.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.

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.

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

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.