Lately I’ve been thinking of life as an ADVENTURE. It has helped me to face our current unpredictable circumstances with more perseverance and hope. The literal meaning of the word adventure is “an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.” Living in a pandemic fits this description. Taking on this adventure mentality has helped me to keep perspective during this season filled with anxiety and uncertainty. The truth that the Lord is always with me helps me to endure whatever adventure comes my way — exciting or unpleasant. Following the Lord through unknown territory, I am confident that He is at work. I can hear Him saying, “just wait and see!” He’s got everything under control.
Life can be a continuous road of adventures. This brings to mind a significant moment when I first took on this mindset. Ten years ago, I stood in the doorway of my daughter Karina’s bedroom and discussed with her what to name the blog she was beginning to work on during the onset of her third round of leukemia. She decided to keep a positive outlook and named her blog “The Next Adventure.” The blog title was inspired by one of her favorite songs titled “The Great Adventure” by Steven Curtis Chapman, a 5-time Grammy-award-winning Christian musician. He is one of our family’s favorite musicians and the words to this particular song have encouraged us in our faith over the years. Life with the Lord is truly an adventure filled with ups and downs. He is our constant companion along the way so titling Karina’s blog the “Next Adventure” seemed a perfect fit.
Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “The Great Adventure”
Karina and I were taken with the Chapman family and their story. They had lost their youngest daughter when she was five years old to a tragic accident. We wished we could meet them but it seemed an impossible dream since they lived on the other side of the country in Nashville, Tennessee (not to mention the fact that they are celebrities). However, I knew that with God all things are possible and it had been a secret desire of mine to meet them some way, some day.
However, I knew that with God all things are possible and it had been a secret desire of mine to meet them some way, some day.
Not long after Karina passed away, a friend hoping to encourage and comfort my husband Ron, shared a song on his Facebook page. It was titled, “Glorious Unfolding” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Ron listened to it and was so touched by the lyrics, he immediately found me to share how much it meant to him. He said, “I want to meet Steven Curtis Chapman!” We now shared the same desire. He then texted our friend Brandon Heath, another Christian musician who lives in Nashville (who had written the forward to my book Anchored). Ron told him that we wanted to meet Steven Curtis Chapman and we were stunned at what happened next. Brandon immediately texted back, “Dude, done! I’m sitting with him right now having coffee.” We were both in awe of the timing and excited to see how God was at work already.
A few months after this text exchange, Brandon Heath and Steven Curtis Chapman happened to be in Seattle performing in concert together at a local venue. Brandon reached out to us and invited us to the concert and asked if we would like to meet Steven Curtis Chapman and his band. The musicians had some free time before their evening concert and Brandon asked if they might come aboard our boat moored nearby for the afternoon. We couldn’t believe it and were thrilled at this wonderful opportunity.
Ron, Steven Curtis and me on our boat
Steven Curtis, Ron, me and Mary Beth on our boat
It was one of those days you never forget. We were so honored to have two of our favorite musicians join us on our boat. When Steven Curtis Chapman stepped on board, we were introduced and while shaking hands I said what a miracle it was to meet him and truly an answer to our prayers. He commented how his family called these special moments “bread crumbs from God.”
I knew exactly what he meant. Over the years of walking with the Lord on this “adventure” called life we had seen God at work leaving us a trail of His goodness that was so evident. God was doing more than we could ever ask or imagine. I told Steven that he was the “biggest bread crumb I’d ever seen!” Ron and I sat on our fly bridge with Steven for a few hours soaking in God’s goodness as we shared our journeys of losing a child. That special time was rich beyond words.
Ever since that first special meeting, we have continued to be blessed with Steven Curtis and his wife Mary Beth’s friendship. They joined us on an adventure at a Couples’ Weekend we hosted at Malibu, the Young Life Camp in British Columbia and stayed with us on our boat for several days. The Lord had truly blessed us and not forgotten us even in our doubting moments along our journey. The most amazing part of this story is what happened in September 2019.
Ron, Steven Curtis and I at the Grand Ole Opry. What confirmation that God hasn’t forgotten us!
Steven Curtis and Mary Beth invited us to their home in Nashville, Tennessee and to the Grand Ole Opry for a special show he played for us. It brings tears to my eyes as I look back and remember when I stood in Karina’s room ten years ago dreaming with her to meet the Chapman family. This was truly remarkable and over the top! God is so good. As we were welcomed into their home I felt as if the Lord was saying to me “See Katie? I haven’t forgotten you!” That IS His promise and He won’t forget you either.
Our life can be an adventure following Jesus to experience abundant life—life to the full. With Jesus as our Anchor and guide He will show us the way. He is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE. (John 14:6)
We are being creative and coming up with new ways to gather together during this Covid-19 time. We are excited to share our upcoming Anchor Adventures in August. These adventures will be for women of any age to come together, hike, and be outside in God’s creation. It will be a chance to get away for the day to be refreshed and renewed. We have three dates and hikes we are offering from the cabin at Crystal Mountain and other local locations. Watch for upcoming details. Let’s gather together and meet God outside! We will be following all COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.
With love and light,
Sharing Strength & Hope
Now that our blog has officially launched (wow!) we’ll be sharing more content with you each week. Check your inbox on Tuesday mornings for content that will inspire you and grow your hope in Jesus, such as:
- Articles from founder and director Katie Robertson
- Posts featuring the Anchor Truths (with free phone backgrounds and art prints!)
- Guest articles and videos from women anchored in their faith
- Content to uplift you, encourage you, and help you anchor yourself in the hope of Jesus
We can’t wait to make the vision of The Anchor Blog a reality!
