Have you ever had a season in your life when a wave of adversity hits? It sweeps you into its current with full force and removes all sense of normality. It has no mercy. Rough, threatening waters with violent motion surround you. The ship of your life is tossed around like a toy in rough heavy seas. That is how I would describe my past one and a half years.

The first wave, or should I call it a tsunami, was a spinal tumour, the second a brain tumour, followed by another brain tumour. The already murky waters have been muddied by heart conditions and breathing problems. There have been plenty of times when I have felt like I am sinking. Yet the shore is still not in sight.

If I was to write a book about this season in my life, I would call it: “When the Shore is Out of Sight”. What brings me comfort is that others have been here before and they have finally reached the shore. The storm did not last forever. There is life after the storm.

Lawrence Chewning is one such person. The song “The anchor holds” was born in his heart at such a time as this. It was birthed through pain, sorrow, and heartache. During his time out in the rough seas of life, he started playing the piano again. It was therapy for him, like writing is for me.

Listen to the words of his song:

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, Though the sails are torn, I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas, The anchor holds in spite of the storm

I’ve had visions, I’ve had dreams, I’ve even held them in my hand, But I never knew those dreams can slip right through, Like they were only grains of sand

I have been young but I’m older now, And there has been beauty these eyes have seen, But it was in the night, through the storms of my life, Oh, that’s where God proved His love to me

The anchor holds, Though the ship’s been battered, The anchor holds, Though the sails are torn, I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas, Yes, the anchor holds in spite of the storm