Who Are Your Anchor People?

Life is grand because of the people. The people who believe in what we do. The people who serve alongside us. The people who love us, no matter what. These are the people who anchor us. Nobel Prize-winning author Alice Munro once said, “Life would be grand if it weren’t for the people.”  Do you ever feel like that?  If we just didn’t have to deal with messy relationships, demanding in-laws or unreliable people, we could really set the world on fire!

But that is such backwards thinking.  Life is grand BECAUSE of the people.  The people who believe in what we do.  The people who serve alongside us.  The people who love us, no matter what.  These are the people who anchor us.  They keep us from getting too far off course.  They hold us steady when the seas are rough.  They give us freedom to explore around the edges.

Where do you find your anchor people?  Here are some of the places that I have found mine.

In my audience

My readers are the best.  I love and appreciate each and every one of you.  Your encouraging words and support for what I do always amaze me.   People like Jeanie, BJ, Liz, Kathie, Kim and Liana who open every email, read every post, share my stuff … they are my biggest cheerleaders and the people I go to when I’m planning what to do next.

“Would you be interested in this?”

“Do you struggle with that?”

They are always honest, motivating me to bring my A-game every single time.

And my clients.  Amazing writers and leaders like Rachel, Jill, BethAnn and Elizabeth who allow me to speak into their God-dreams. They’ve come to fall into the next category of anchor people.

Family and Friends

My family and friends are a major support system for me.  Of course, my mom reads everything and often comments or shares.  Thanks, Mom!  My husband and kids are good at giving me the time and space to work, but also good at saying, “Ok!  It’s time get off the computer!” (They may not actually say it, but I can tell when they are thinking it!}

My face-to-face friends, and my online friends, Melissa and my ministry partners at Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies … they all keep me grounded in what is truly important.  They remind me that all of this is nothing if it is not focused on Jesus.

Trusted Advisors and Partners

One thing you have surely learned if you have even dabbled in online ministry.  There is no shortage of people who want to give you advice, and they come in all forms.  Some who just want to invade your inbox to sell you products and services, truly generous people who give with no expectations of anything in return, and honestly, people who have no idea what they are talking about and just want to have their own voice heard.

This is one mistake that a lot of people make. They take advice from too many places. That leads to a lot of conflicting input and confusion.  It is much better to find a few people that you really connect with, who you can learn from and that will become partners with you in ministry.  If there is something you need to know that they can’t help with, go to them for recommendations of others who can.  Great partners are well-connected and knowledgeable about the information out there and will guide you to other helpful resources.

God has graciously provided Kim, Chad, Susan, Lisa, Maria and AJ to be advisors and partners with me.

If you are still looking for your anchor people, seek out some “Colossians 3 People“. My favorite chapters in the Bible says just about everything we need to know about how to treat each other and the kind of people we should do life with.  A few of the best parts:

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another … And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another … And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

My prayer for the Do A New Thing community is that the message of Christ would dwell among us richly as we teach and admonish (and anchor) one another.

 

anchor people promoResources

Download this worksheet to help you find your anchor people.

[email-download download_id=”3648″ contact_form_id=”716″]

Other posts to help you anchor yourself before planning for next year:

Find Your Ministry Anchor Verse

Anchor Yourself in Joy

 

Where have you found your anchor people?  And who are they?  We want to celebrate them with you!

14 thoughts on “Who Are Your Anchor People?”

  1. Christa – thank you for sharing your heart and building up others along the way! You are awesome! I am grateful for you and your sincere desire to help others! Big blessings to you, sister! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  2. Christa Hutchins, I love you so! You anchor, and encourage me like no other! You are brilliant, caring and (most advantageous to me) patient! It’s an honor to know you and a privilege to cheer you on any chance I get! XOXO

    Reply
    • BJ, I can’t wait until your blog is born and everyone else gets to see just how amazing you are. You are an encourager like no other!

      Reply
  3. I finally had a moment to read this wisdom Christa and thank you. You too are one of my anchor people who truly does help me get things done and speak into my visions. So greatly blessed by having you in my life. Excited for next chapters for all of us. Thanks for all you do for so many!

    Reply
  4. Yes, this! It’s so important, Christa! Thanks for pointing us to connect and celebrate one another. Praising God with you for the awesome people He’s put in my life! Many blessings to you!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Let's Do

our-thing

Help For

your-thing

Is your to-do list out of control?

Grab my best to-do list tips and learn to overcome the de-railers in your week

WHY I DO MY THING

Do A New Thing equips busy communicators and leaders with project management and problem solving skills so they can turn their big ideas into a successful ministry or business.

Privacy, Disclaimers and Disclosures

LET'S CONNECT

Contact Me