There are times in everyone’s life when we end up down river, that is, down the wrong river. We started off, very sure, or maybe not so sure, that this direction was the right way to go. Maybe we chose the direction ourselves—or maybe we were encouraged by someone else. But sooner or later, we discovered that this was definitely the wrong direction.

So we tried to turn back, but found almost impossible obstacles. Then we looked for an anchor—something, or someone we thought we could trust, to hang onto for help. We held on, but to our shock and disappointment, we were deceived when that anchor gave way and left us drowning.

Down the River

You were down the river with no paddle,
Drifting deeper and deeper into the doleful wilderness
Until you finally dug your frail hand deep into the cold waters.

You remembered your anchor.
It had always held you in place, kept you safe.
But this time, it drowned you at sea.

You kept your head above the water,
Trying to breathe, your body shaking,
Tears streaming down your face.

But when your anchor pulled away, it caused waves.
It started small. Serene ripples on the surface
That all too soon turned into blood-curdling ones
That wiped you away.
They took the last fight you had in you.

That night, you drowned
Because you were sick of swimming.

There are many kinds of anchors we can grasp onto for help. The kinds of anchors we choose throughout life are just as important as the paths—or rivers—we choose to travel. So let’s decide to surround ourselves not with those who tear us apart, but with those who build us up, those who show respect for themselves and others, those who choose love over hatred, those who have integrity for doing what’s right even when it’s the hardest thing to do, and those who know the true meaning of being an anchor for others. Better still, be that anchor!