Fears and Tears

Last weekend for the Labor Day holiday we traveled to an island located in northern Wisconsin. We stayed at the largest of the islands called Madeline Island. There are 21 islands in total which make up the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Madeline Island feels like you are stepping back in time. The speed limit is 20 going through town and 45 around the island. Cars, mopeds, and bikes explore the island in a slow, steady pace, where people are not in a hurry rushing around.

The small town of LaPointe is quaint and charming with a few restaurants, bakery, coffee shop, ice cream parlor, grocery store, and souvenir shops.

The Catholic Church, St. Joseph, has been there since the 1600’s and is an official pilgrimage location for the year of hope that Pope Francis designated. We were fortunate to be able to attend the last Mass of the summer season with the community. It was a beautiful outdoor Mass, with the Bishop of Superior Wisconsin presiding.

We stayed in a cabin for 3 nights. It was advertised as unplugged with no WiFi or tv, which really appealed to me. My favorite part was the screened in porch, which was a relaxing place to enjoy my morning coffee or watch the sunset with the glow of candlelight adding to the ambiance.

I was a little disappointed that there was not a view of Lake Superior from the cabin. It was tucked in the woods, with trees that stretched up to the sky. There was hints of fall coming with some of the leaves beginning to change to a beautiful shade of red.

It look my body about a day to adjust to the quiet of being in the woods away from the noise of the world.

Almost as soon as I got to the cabin, I heard God speak to me in the quiet. It is hard to explain, but He made known to me that He is always with me even though I can’t see Him. He showed me that Lake Superior is there, surrounding the island, even though I can’t see it. It was a beautiful moment and I am thankful to God that He made this known to me.

Thank you, my Lord and my God, for this special time on the lovely Madeleine Island. It is a treasure that I will ponder in my heart. Amen.