Anchors: Living in Two Places at the Same Time

Today I’m delighted to welcome friend and author Marilyn Nutter to share an excerpt from her new book, Hope for Widows. Perhaps you’ve walked through the pain of widowhood with a family member or friend. Or perhaps you know firsthand the devastation and chaos it brings. It’s hard, and we need resources to help us cope.

In Hope for Widows, Marilyn describes her personal journey as she navigates the rocky path back to wholeness with short poignant vignettes. Treasured Reflections and Treasured Thoughts found at the end of each reading provide action steps to help process grief.

Now, here’s Marilyn to share one of them.

Anchors

by Marilyn Nutter

Truly my soul finds rest in God.

Psalm 62:1 NIV

One summer when my grandchildren came to visit, we took our boat out on the water. We chose a spot to anchor, and the kids had a blast jumping off the boat and swimming. At one point, the boat seemed unstable, and we had to set the anchor again. I couldn’t help but make a spiritual analogy to anchors and what they do and who my anchor is, especially in this life season with its uncertainties and newness.

Over the next few days, the concept of real anchors and stability appeared in several readings from different sources. It’s something God wanted to impress on me for good reason.

Anchors moor or hold a boat in place and are especially helpful if someone chooses to swim away from the boat. They keep the boat from drifting. Swimmers need to know the boat is where they last left it. We can count on anchors. They’re stable and reliable.

Hebrews 6:19 tells us, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” This hope, our anchor, is Jesus.

The sudden loss of my husband taught me much about anchors—or, rather, the real, immovable anchors of my life. My husband helped anchor me. With him, I felt secure and safe. His passing meant the end of certain dreams and plans for a long retirement together. Our forty-two plus years together were anchored but now moved.

People often say, “Don’t look at your circumstances.” But my circumstances are real. I live in them 24/7. I now pay the bills, take out the garbage, get the oil changed, eat meals alone, have no one to say “God bless you” when I sneeze or to fasten the clasp on my bracelet. So I choose to live in two places at the same time: in my circumstances (there is no reversing them or getting away from them) and above my circumstances tied to my real anchor.

In Jesus I’m secure. He is the one who keeps me from drifting into negatively imagining my future and engaging in glum thoughts about my present. His promises are true and His love never-ending. He is faithful and is with me every minute of my day.

He is the one anchor who doesn’t move. Stable, secure, immovable, and unchanging. He is my ultimate security and faithful anchor . . . always.

Treasured Reflections: Get to know your Anchor and His promises. Call out for His peace, comfort, and direction as you navigate in two places—in and above your circumstances. He will answer and provide treasures even in pain.

Treasured Thoughts: Journal your thoughts about living in two places and how your Anchor is present in both.

Taken from: Hope for Widows: Reflections on Mourning, Living, and Change © 2024 by Marilyn Nutter All rights reserved.

Published in association with Books & Such Literary Management, www.booksandsuch.com.

Requests for permission to quote from this book should be directed to: Permissions Department, Our Daily Bread Publishing, PO Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, or contact us by email at permissionsdept@odb.org.

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To learn more about Marilyn and subscribe to her blog, visit MarilynNutter.com.

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