I’m not good at staying home. I’ve always liked routine. I love to be busy planning my work schedule and staying active. I love working out at the gym, meeting for coffee dates and getting errands done. But it has been a stormy time in our world and life feels so different as we have been forced to stop or change almost everything we do. Yet despite the chaos, we have thankfully made it through a month and a half of staying home, carefully distancing ourselves from others and navigating new routines.

When I launched The Anchor eight years ago, I couldn’t have envisioned that we would be facing such a real-life storm together– affecting each and every one of us today– bringing stress, loss, anxiety and uncertainty. I am reminded of the most confirming event which cemented my decision to found The Anchor and encourages me especially during this stormy time.

I was out running close to my home in Gig Harbor. I have run the same route for over 20 years. As I ran, I was mentally preparing the first Anchor message and praying under my breath for a sign (and yes, praying boldly, as I was hoping for a literal “anchor”) that I could use as an object lesson during my talk. As I lifted my eyes up from my prayer, right in front of me about fifty yards ahead, was a sight that took my breath away! A giant, eight-foot- tall rusted anchor was chained around a fir tree that I had never noticed before! This anchor on the tree was SO timely and amazing and reminded me of our need to be anchored in this stormy world.