Anchored

Before the year comes to a close I want to revisit my 2025 WOTY (Word Of The Year)-anchored. 

The dictionary defines anchored like this- "to make something or someone stay in one position by fastening him, her or it firmly.'' The Bible dictionary adds to the definition with this- 'held by an anchor, moored, fixed in safety', and in the Bible itself the word anchor is an emblem of hope. 

So how did that word play out in my life this year? 

Blogging is a funny thing in that we're writing about life, but of course not all of life. There are always things happening behind the scenes that don't get talked about here, but that nonetheless add meaning and mystery, heartache and blessing to our daily lives.  

That has certainly been true here in 2025. While our immediate family is doing well there have been a lot of hard, confusing, disappointing, and just plain sad things going on with people we love and care about. I suppose that's always true to some degree, but this year it feels especially so. 

Plus, the world. Ugh. I know I'm not the only who's feeling exhausted by the all the conflict, the complaining, the hate that's so prevalent today. It would be easy to feel adrift...completely unmoored...in this world and in this year marked by upheaval and just plain ugliness if I had no anchor to 'fix me in safety'. 

On January 1 of this year hubs and I committed to reading through the Bible together every day. We followed the chronological plan available from The Bible Recap, and we also listened to the brief daily podcast where the host, Tara Leigh Cobble, adds clarity to the day's reading. She does an excellent job of staying on point, while providing links to deeper dives into various topics if you want or need to know more. 

Being anchored to God's word this year has been such a gift. When life feels confusing or sad Scripture remains a solid steady place to stand. Returning every day to the promises found in God's word provided not only comfort but direction, reminding me the world may tilt and change but He never does. 

In 2025 God's word has truly been an anchor for my soul. 

We recently sang an old song in church called Cornerstone (linked here),  and the words really struck a chord with me. They brought my word to mind...

    '...when darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace

    In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil...Christ alone, Cornerstone, 

    weak made strong, in the Saviour's love, Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all...' 

I have the good intention every year to memorize scripture, but I'm just going to be honest and say things don't stick the way they did even a decade ago. Makes me so grateful for the many verses I learned while growing up because those adhered like glue, but adding a lot of new memory work is hard. If you're reading this and you're under 50 do it now!

I did memorize this simple verse though, and I say it to myself often, including several times on Monday because Monday ended up being a day and as a result Tuesday will probably be the same.  

He is my hope. My cornerstone. My anchor...and I will carry that with me into this new year. Today too.