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Footprints in the Sand

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One night a man had a dream.  He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.

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For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

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When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

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He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.  He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

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This reallhy bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it:

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"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.  But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.  I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

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The Lord replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.  During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." 

       Author:  Mary Stevenson

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This is a very special poem, especially for Christians.  The "Footprints in the Sand" poem shows our unique and special relationship with God.  We all have problems in our lives, ups and downs, highs and lows, good times and bad times.  The truth is that when things are good, God walks with us, he walks along beside us.   When we look back on those happy times, we see two sets of footprints.  It's also easy to be thankful to God when things are going great.

But what about when things are bad? What about the times when we are experiencing hardships, loneliness, sadness or trials in our lives?  When we look back on those bad times, we will see only one set of footprints.  The author of the poem thinks that during the times that God was needed the most, He was not around, and the person was left all alone to deal with his suffering!  But is that the case?  No, not at all!  Instead of God walking beside us during those trying times, He carries us through them!  He wants to be there for us during the bad times.  He wants to give us a shoulder to lean on.  He wants to lift those burdens for us.  He wants to love on us when we do not even realize we need it.  He wants to carry us when we can no longer walk for ourselves.  

Romans 8:31 says, "If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?"   Bad things are still going to happen to us, but we no longer have to be afraid of the bad things happening in our lives, because we have Him.   Isaiah 40:28-29 says, "No one can fathom the depths of His understanding.  He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak."   We may not be strong, but GOD IS!  God wants us to know we are never alone, and that when life seems to be tough and unbearable, He will carry us through it!  

You can pray this prayer today: God, sometimes I feel alone and feel like you have left me when I am down or having problems. Please help me to seek you and see your face and to always realize and remember that you are there and that you are carrying me through.
 
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