“They Taught The Hand That Taut the Bride”

My heart has always been more drawn to melancholic music; oddly enough, it always gives me hope! I believe this is because, when I find a song that understands my own sorrow with words that are already written, I can simply remain silent and let it sink into my soul without having to utter a single word. Certain songs seem to describe exactly what I would wish to say if I could find the words! I guess there is a reason “of the Sorrowful Heart” makes sense in my life.

I have said this before, but I relate way more to the Bridegroom writing songs for the bride and going off in search of her, rather than the other way around. Not that the bride is not searching for her Prince, but at certain moments she is so weak that He MUST come to her and show her that she has nothing to fear and show her how ALL her strength lies in Him (And Mary!). I used to listen to this song constantly in 2016, but it was only a few weeks ago did I, for the first time, listen to the lyrics. I was utterly astounded at how Our Lord Himself had to have written this song for His brides, who find themselves in the middle of a storm and need an “anchor” of some sort to keep their ship grounded- to keep them trusting in His goodness, His timing and His mysterious ways. Without storms, we would actually never reach tranforming union…

Do you remember a recent post of mine, where I distinguished the difference between mystical marriage and the betrothal? Like Our Holy Father John of the Cross’ poems, I can easily break down these lyrics and understand how this is the EXACT process of going from betrothal to the permanent state of mystical marriage. See for yourself!

Instrumental: Cover resung by Mary’s Secretary; I own Nothing. All rights belong to Novo Amor!

[Verse 1]

Took the breath from my open mouth

Never known how it broke me down

I went in circles somewhere else

Shook the best when your love was home

Storing up on your summer glow [before winter storm comes-dark night]

You went in search of someone else

[Chorus]

And I hear your ship is comin’ in

Your tears a sea for Me to swim

And I hear a storm is comin’ in

My dear, is it all we’ve ever been?

[Verse 2]

Caught the air in your woven mouth

Leave it all, I’ll be hearing how you went

In search of someone else

They taught the hand that taut the bride

Both our eyes locked to the tide

We went in circles somewhere else

[Chorus]

And I hear your ship is comin’ in

Your tears a sea for Me to swim

And I hear a storm is comin’ in

My dear, is it all we’ve ever been?

[Outro]

Anchor up to Me, love

Oh, anchor up to Me

My love, My love, My love

“Anchor” is symbolic to myself for a couple of different reasons. When I ran track, in particular with relay races, there are four runners who work together for the 400 meter race. This is one full lap around the track, sprinted. Each runner runs their full lap and then passes on the baton to their teammate. Every runner in this relay is important, but the team member who is chosen to go last ultimately determines the outcome: victory or defeat ( the first runner does as well, because she sets the pace for the rest). This runner, chosen to go last, is called “the anchor”. And she has to be the strongest. Why? Let us say the first runner sets the pace and she is passed up and comes in last by the time she gives the baton to the second runner. The anchor needs to have the strength to double up on endurance and still at least try for a victory. It can happen; it has!

Close up of exchanging relay baton on a race on a black background with smoke

“The anchor is the final leg of a relay race. The teammate who runs last is referred to as the anchor. This is a position that is typically reserved for the most skilled or experienced member of the team, as it is the anchor’s responsibility to either make up for any lost time or to maintain the team’s lead.“

Anchors are also needed in the Church. Which brings me to another discovery I made not too long ago. Have you ever felt like you always come in last? Whether that be Catholic friends of mine struggling with infertility or young women waiting to enter convents, all the while watching others have their babies or other brides of Christ take vows, while you watch- “when is my turn?” you may ask. It might seem as though people are passing you by, or Our Lord has forgotten you. “Have I done something wrong?” I believe there are also anchors in the spiritual life, in the Church. Let me explain. If you are coming in last, perhaps like the track runners, you have been chosen by Our Lord and Our Lady to carry the team (the Church and its members) to victory. Perhaps you are still waiting because the first few members of your team have not passed you the baton yet?

Therese once said that Our Lord tends to give souls what they want, right away, if they have a weaker faith. But His true friends are treated like His Mother. This is so profound! It also does not take a genius to look around and see we are living in very evil times, so Our Lord needs souls to suffer in union with Mary, in order for the long awaited triumph of the Immaculate Heart (which is a promise). My own consolation has been in seeing the word “anchor” in the vocation of the “ANCHORite”. To be quite honest, I have always felt like I have come in last, am overlooked or watch people appear to have their prayers answered while I am forced to watch them recieve great news, or am tempted to believe I have been forgotten. WRONG. I am just a little nobody, but it gave me hope in remembering that sometimes, coming in last, is not a weakness… it is a strengh. One cannot be an anchor without endurance.