Foot Prints in the Sand

I have "Footprints in the Sand" hung up in my bedroom. Every day I get to see this poem and how fitting it is.  God never promises that our lives will be easy and without challenges - how can they be in this sinful and broken world.  But the glorious thing is, I know Jesus is with me every step of the way, even during the hard times.  The hard times may not disappear, but Jesus carries me through them.  We don't always know what another person is struggling with.  Sometimes the challenges are out in the open, sometimes they are hidden away.  Even with the very public challenges of life, we don't know how one is feeling or coping with them.

I am far from a strong person.  My mother once told me she was amazed at my strength, through all of my grief, to go on with life after my sister died.  I told her it wasn't my strength, but my faith, that got me through it.

So last night, as I looked at this Poem and read it for what must be the millionth time, I thought, thank you, Jesus, for carrying me yet again. I hope you can take as much comfort from this as I do.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson