In 1986 I went out to the Seirra National Forest where in spite of using crutches and braces I was able to do cliff climbing and rappelling and faced huge challenges  but also great victory doing things I never thought I would be able to do.  The biggest challenge, though, came while I was sitting still.  I sat at the edge of a stream.  I took my leg brace, socks and shoes off and sat with my feet in the water.  Pretty soon the tears started to flow.  I was angry.  I was angry that I couldn't run up that mountain.  I was angry that I couldn't move without the struggle of the post-polio syndrome.  I was angry that my disease would get worse.  As I told God of my anger, He directed my thoughts to a verse in Hebrews, Chapter 11, where the Bible says "For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame…"  Two words stuck in my head; "joy" and "despising".   I realized, I think for the first time, that Jesus Christ hated dying on that cross.  He hated the pain and the shame of hanging there naked, but He did it with Joy, because He knew that it wouldn't be forever and that His suffering was the price for my salvation.  He knew the joy of doing God's Will and that one day He would be sitting back at the right hand of the Father.  That verse and that insight gave me hope for my own future.  No matter what circumstances happen, and there have been some hard circumstances.  My husband died two years ago at the age of 59.  My arms and legs are getting weaker and weaker and I don't know how long I will be able to live alone.  But I can face it all with Joy, because I know I am not alone and that someday I will also be in Heaven with Jesus Christ.  And that's the challenge I want to leave with you.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?  With Him in our lives, we can face anything that might come!  Dream big dreams, pursue those dreams.  Go further with the Lord than you've ever gone before!