We have this poem hanging on our wall in the family room, it is called the Footprints in the Sand. Here is how it goes:
"One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, 'My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.'"
This poem has always echoed in my mind when I am feeling down, and feel as if I cannot get back up. I have somehow lost my way on my life path, and Lord I think of this poem because I do not know how much more strength I have to walk this path by myself much longer. I am a true believer in the phrase, "If the Lord brought you to it, he'll get you through it", however, I am struggling to see the light at the end of this tunnel. I know thirty years from now, all of these issues in my life will seem funny that I spent days upset over them, but right now I know it is you testing me. Please, tell me that you will pick me up when I can no longer drag my feet through the sand, that you will have me at my lowest and saddest points in my life, and when I look back I will see both my footprints and yours.
I'd like to think that I have more than just the Lord caring for my spirit, that when I look back I will see multiple footprints next to mine in the sand, that I will see my supporters footprints, when I have gone to them for help, and they have carried or walked beside me in the sands of life. I know I am not alone in this world, and I know that the Lord is testing my faith in him every day, and there are days where I question if he is even up in heaven listening to me.But on those days, I think of this poem and how for every trial in my life you have been there for me, Lord.
