We left California in 1993 for Idaho because of economic circumstances. My friend Patty and her family had left a few years before for Montana. Not too long after our moving, our friend Vaunda suffered a medical issue.
The church was hosting a birthday party for her so Patty and I decided to go back to California to help her celebrate. We also decided to find a song we could sing. We picked “The Anchor Holds,” by Lawrence Chewning. It seemed appropriate for what Vaunda was going through at the time.
A few weeks ago, Patty was in the hospital (one of many stays this year) and I sent a link to a recording of that song to her. She responded with, “Thanks, I needed that.”
Last Thursday, I was on YouTube and listening to music when the song came up in my list. I sat in my chair and cried. I thought about my friends (Vaunda who recovered, and Patty who went home to her Savior). I thought about our love for Christ Jesus our LORD. I thought about loss and grief and all the struggles we face as humans in this world. And I thought about, as Christians, no matter what we face … THE ANCHOR HOLDS.
“The anchor holds Though the ship is battered. The anchor holds Though the sails are torn. I have fallen on my knees As I faced the raging seas. The anchor holds In spite of the storm.” (Chorus)
Hebrews 6:18-20: “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest….” [NLT]
