Mounting With Wings

I wrote this short entry in my journal about a month ago and just thought I’d share it here on my blog. I hope you are encouraged by it. I’m here in my very favorite “happy place”, in my hammock by Lake Harriet. Today I’m reading poems by Helen Steiner Rice. My mom loved her writings and they speak life into my soul as well. One poem that especially spoke to me today is called, “Never Borrow Sorrow From Tomorrow.” It’s a beautiful, cool, crisp morning with some freshly fallen leaves on the ground. I enjoy gazing at the royal blue sky and the tranquil scene around me. Two kingfishers just had a disagreement in the tree in front of me and the crows are an ever present cacophony in the background.  I sense God’s presence through nature in this picturesque scene. Across the lake are some lovely, yellow, fall flowers, brilliant in the morning sun. They are a stark contrast to the more somber tones around— painting a  beautiful tapestry of color. Lord, I want to be like one

Nervous anticipation and questions seemed to surround me as we flew towards Salt Lake City. What would this “Healing ALS” conference be like? Would it really be helpful? How would I relate to seeing others with ALS who are further along in their disease process?  We arrived about 9 pm to a cold drizzle and navigated the public tram the fifteen minute ride to our motel. At one stop a soaking wet, bearded, homeless man stumbled in and fell in a seat. He then started mumbling to himself, tearing up train schedules and throwing them on the floor. Poor man! I wondered what trials he’d had in life. The next day we awoke to sunshine and a picturesque view of the snow capped mountains from our motel window. After a quick worship and breakfast we walked the fifteen minutes to the Radisson where the convention was being held.   My name tag had a purple ribbon with “PALS” on the bottom (which I learned is a “Person with ALS”). I wasn’t sure I was ready to admit it and be “labeled