Anchored in Hope

Trees fascinate me. I'm obsessed with the intricate design of tree roots. Two months ago, a 104-mph wind (not a typo) blew over some of our 70-year-old pine trees. These trees have endured tornadoes, hail, lightning, heat, and drought, but this storm was the last straw. They were tired. As the majestic trees bowed to the force of the wind, their roots sprang from the ground and into the daylight for the first time. They were my granddad's trees. I cried. I avoided the yard. I couldn't look out the windows.

My husband got right to work. He didn't mope or complain. He spent hours with a chainsaw, cutting the branches and trunks of these beautiful pines. Little by little our yard came back together. And, guess what?  Today, we planted new little seedlings from the trees that fell.

Our yard has transformed. The landscape is different now–new, yet deeply rooted in my family’s history. The storm pushed us to embrace change and create something new. 

This has happened in my life as well. Every once in a while God calls me to endure a storm so that I can grow my roots of faith a little deeper–so that I can begin again with something new. Through each one, my faith deepens, and my roots grow stronger. My anchor holds. The writer of Hebrews explains that God has given us the hope and promise of Jesus as a firm and secure anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19). 

Unlike the trees in my yard with roots bowed under the wind’s pressure, God’s anchor never breaks or bends. He holds us steady like a ship anchored in a storm. The winds of life may batter us or push us to our limits and expose our roots, but God’s anchor keeps us from drifting. 

In life, just like our new landscape, there are times when we need to make changes. It might mean adjusting our schedules, reevaluating relationships, reconsidering our commitments, or transforming our beliefs and habits. We can take something that feels worn out and give it new life. 

The Bible encourages us not to dwell on the past but to notice the new things God is doing (Isaiah 43:18-19). No matter what storms we face or the changes we embrace, we can rest easy because Jesus is our anchor, steady and unshakable. 

--

Misti, who has a Master’s Degree in English Education, is a veteran homeschool mother and leader. She teaches writing for Anchor Enrichment Academy and Summit Christian College. After living in Arizona for 17 years, Misti and her husband, Greg, purchased her grandparents’ home and moved to Western Nebraska where she gardens and enjoys the rural life. 

Anchor Enrichment Academy offers diverse opportunities for every member of your family, with a wide range of courses designed to guide each adventurer on their journey to new skills and a bright future. Rooted in Christian faith, our passionate tutors inspire and uplift, providing the encouragement and hope needed to embark on your exciting new learning voyage.