The Anchor That Holds Beyond Measure

In this small experience, I learned profound lessons about prayer, faith, and grace, and I thought I would share them to encourage someone on how to interpret situations differently

We often look for our anchors in life:

• Some say their families, their children, their dreams, or their ambition are their anchors.

• Some say their qualifications, networks, capability, or potential are their anchors.

• Some say their prayers, faith, discipline, and obedience are their anchors.

But none of these anchors will fully materialize or hold true without the ultimate, true anchor—one that doesn't depend on our effort or capability: Grace. Grace is the anchor that defies laws, rules, limitations, and inadequacies. We use various measurements for life—time, success, status, wealth, and possessions—but again, none of those will hold without grace.

One Saturday morning, my family and I set out for a trip, making a detour to pick up a family friend. Without giving every detail, I will share the highlights that link to the vital lessons I learned.

Lesson 1: While we prayed for the journey, we had no clue that somewhere on the road the GPS would fail. The GPS, though reactivated, could not foresee that a gravel road lay ahead. We found ourselves faced with about 30 minutes or more of rough road, and the car we were travelling in was absolutely not suited for it. By faith, we pushed through because we didn't know how far back the turn we missed was. This first challenge taught me: Grace carries you beyond your means (do not be proud).

Lesson 2: We traveled about 15 minutes after the gravel road when we decided to take a break. I was the first to realize that we were driving on a flat tire. We assessed the damage—it was not a puncture, but a deep, serious cut. We were 234 km, about three hours, from home. It was a Saturday, so there was nowhere to get a fix or buy a new tire immediately. We had a temporary spare wheel and we did not have the lug wrench (spanner). Our way back was not straightforward, as we had to drop off our family friend, adding another 45 minutes to the trip. The lesson became clear:

You can be wounded and not know it until the right time, yet still not be destroyed.

Lesson 3: There were so many things that could have gone wrong; the tire could have burst on the gravel road. On that rough path, seeing only two other cars encouraged us that we could do it. Someone had to drive ten minutes to their house to get us a lug wrench. We changed the tire, but I still wrestled between faith and anxiety over driving such a long distance with a temporary spare. However, I realized I couldn't stop anything from happening and chose to let go of the anxiety. I understood that anxiety was a risk to my faith; total surrender was the only way. The lesson: He will encourage you in the way, deliver you safely, and give you much-needed help on arrival

Lesson 4: We had to decide whether to drop off our family friend because besides the fact that we were limping it was also late at night meaning we could easily be stranded on the road. However, we decided to stick to the original plan without inconvenience. We had to pull through our commitment and promise. When we managed to drop her off, it was such a relief. The lesson: Even if you are limping you can still deliver, carry others, be of assistance to others and achieve your purpose.

Lesson 5: After the stop, just as we re-entered the highway, something knocked the spare tire. We all looked at each other and agreed: we would not stop to check, just as we hadn't stopped to check until we were in a safe space before. We would trust the same Power who protected us then would protect us now. The lesson: When you start relaxing, your cultivated faith will be tested.

Reflecting on this experience, I reached two conclusions that I hold onto:

1. Faith is about overcoming what you see with what you know. Because even if the knowing is tested, you still know He will make a way of escape.

2. Some answered prayers are not meant to prevent difficult situations, but are meant to protect you through difficult situations.

We arrived safely at home.