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 was one only.
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 has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
~ Mary Stevenson, 1936
If I think about it, I’d have to say that the old gem “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson has been quite important to me throughout my life. I don’t have a Precious Moments print of it hanging on the wall or anything, but it does pop into my mind quite often.
In my daydreams, I like to think that the poem was written about me. I picture all the places my footprints have been. I imagine the kinds of prints my feet have left along the way. I wonder about the times it was God’s prints in the sand, and not mine.
42 years ago: My footprints were Unique- fresh, innocent, full of potential, new.
30 years ago: My footprints were Awkward- growing, learning, funny, young.
20 years ago: My footprints were Dancing- light, care-free, well-traveled, fun.
13 years ago: My footprints were Adventurous- new country, new continent, determined, bold.
9 & 7 years ago: My footprints were Deep- mothering, caring, carrying, love.
6 years ago: My footprints were Challenged- new symptoms, difficulty, achy, tired.
4 years ago: My footprints were Stressed- disregarded, abused, exhausted, sad.
2 years ago: My footprints were in Pain- relentless, invisible, inside and out.
1 year ago: My footprints were Limping- devastated, chronic, divorced, hurt.
This year: My footprints are Uncertain- worried, making do, trudging along, masked.
Like the person in the poem, I, too, have had some pretty trying periods in my life, and I, too, have asked challenging questions during those times. I don’t have all of the answers, but there are a few things I know for sure. I know we can gain health from chronic illness. I know we can develop patience in a relentless siege. I know we can actualize peace in a chaotic world. Is it easy? No! But I also know that we love a God who “will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom.” I know this, because I know He carries me.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for walking by my side through the happy times in life. Thank you for carrying me through the hard times. Amen.
