It was a cool, crisp spring morning. Dad was up before the sun. It was going to be a beautiful day. Dad was busy making preparations for the next adventure. I wasn’t as enthusiastic. Whining, I said, “Com’n Dad, can I sleep in a little longer? It’s 5:30 in the morning!” So what’s going on at that time in the morning? It’s time to go fishing! It’s time to go harass fish. Dad got the boat hooked up to the pickup, ready for the road trip to the river. Dad and I headed out for the river before the sun arose with visions of Walleyes dancing in his head. When we reached the boat dock, I helped Dad unload the boat into the water. Once we unloaded the boat, we needed to bring the essentials with us: the fishing poles, the bait, and the lunch (consisting of a ham sandwich, potato chips, a Twinkie and the beverage of choice, a Pepsi). And, oh, I forgot, of course you need to bring the big net.
Now that the boat was ready to go, we sped across the water to one of Dad’s fishing hotspots. All the preparations made were for this moment and this moment alone. Dad told me, “Okay, drop the anchor.” That meant we were going to fish at this spot for a while. We didn’t want the boat to stray too far from this point. The anchor held us fast and true to the area where we desired to fish. Now is the time … the time to fish.
Dad was an anchor in my life. Not only did he provide for my physical needs, he also provided me guidance for my spiritual needs. Both Mom and Dad introduced me to Jesus at a young age. I accepted Jesus into my heart with a childlike faith. But I also first-hand, saw how Mom and Dad walked in their faith. Jesus was their anchor even when the storms of life buffeted the boat. Even when the waves were spilling over the edge, they would look to Jesus to anchor them in the storm. When times were calm, Mom and Dad still made sure the anchor was in place to keep them close to their Savior. In Hebrews 6:19-20, the Bible talks about Jesus being our anchor: “19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” This verse also talks about how Jesus goes before us as a high priest in the presence of the One True God. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost[b] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” This verse describes Jesus going before us to God the Father to intercede as an advocate on our behalf due to the sin that occurs in our everyday lives–the sin that occurs in our past, present, and future. Jesus is the immovable anchor of the souls for His believers. Why? Because Jesus, the Son of God, took on humanity and lived a sinless life in this sinful world. God the Father required the shed blood of a perfect, sinless man. To glorify God the Father, Jesus died a horrific death on a cross and His shed blood was the atonement for the world’s sin. Now, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God in a glorified, resurrected body. He is now our advocate and ever-present help in times of trouble.
Well, Dad suddenly passed away on April 25, 2016. Today marks five years since he has passed. When a believer in Jesus dies, Jesus says that person is just asleep. Why would Jesus say this? Because as a believer, death does not have the final say in our lives. There is new life with Jesus after death. Dad was an anchor in my life and his death left me feeling numb to the outside world. Dad was always available. I could call him for advice about my family and work life. My heart was broken on April 25, 2016, and it took time for healing. Jesus was and is there with me during my sorrow, and His presence is comforting to my heart. I have relied more on Jesus as my anchor over these last few years. I am so thankful for Mom and Dad’s journey with our Savior, Jesus, and allowing me to see them shine as lights in the darkness of this world.
In closing, below are the lyrics of a song released in 1995 called, “The Anchor Holds,” by Ray Boltz:
“I have journeyed
Through the long, dark night
Out on the open sea
By faith alone,
Sight unknown
And yet His eyes were watching me
The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds In spite of the storm.”
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Really touching devotional about your Dad. Enjoyed it!
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