I used to have a "Footprints" plaque in the bedroom of my childhood house. Or maybe it was in the kitchen. I love the message of "Footprints", even if it's not sophisticated theology. It brings me much comfort because I believe God to be a loving, empathetic, involved God. Now that I'm on the other side of the Black Hole--no longer cursing the Creator and accusing Him of abandonment--I can see that He never left me that year and a half of hell. In fact, He was carrying me. Here's the whole piece:
Footprints in the Sand"
By Author Unknown
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. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
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.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"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."
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."
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LOVE THIS, when i die i want this to be posted up over my ashes. I have had alot of hurdles and it seems like they never end, but he keeps watching over and carrying us over every one.HE IS GREAT!!!
The Author's name is Mary Stevenson(Zangare). The poem was wrote in 1936. I Love the Poem. I have several copies of it myself and read it everyday. My mother passed the poem on to me several years ago. I think of her every time I read it. I connect with her this way, even though she is not with me any more. I do miss her. Have a wonderful day, everyone. Be Positive and Smile everyday.
Therese,
Thank you so much for putting my poem under "author unknown" as I origionaly released it! All of the liars and thiefs who have credited my poem to themselves or to others have deeply hurt me. Much more than I realised until I seen my poem on your site under it's proper credit. I am getting very old now and soon the thieves will be free to lie themselves into hell over my poem without my presence to deter them. Until then please accept my most sincere gratitude for your honesty and sense of right. No doubt GOD has taken note of your action also.
This hymn version fo the poemhas helped many people. It can be sung to the tune Londonderry Air/O Danny Boy. Please pass it on.
Upon the shore I walked with Him at even
And I looked back upon the path we'd trod
And in the sand I traced our way at even
And I was glad I'd walked through life with God:
For side by side we'd journeyed through together
All through the world's wide wilderness of care
And side by side we'd journeyed through to even
Safe at his side the Lord my God had brought me here.
But in my joy I caught a strain of sadness
To give me pause when thinking of my way
For on the shore I saw he'd left me lonely
When I had most the need of him to stay:
When I was tried he'd left me worn and wandering,
He'd left me lone when I was fighting fears
He'd let me tread the steepest slopes in solitude
Before he came back to my side to dry my tears.
But then the Lord drew near to me in comfort
And in his tenderness he made it plain
That in the times when dread and darkness threatened
He was my shield and shelter from the pain:
For on his shoulders he was gently bearing
And on his shoulders I from harm was free:
The single trace of footprints of the Master,
The single trace of footprints shows he carried me.
So on the shore I walk with Him at even
I face the latter days of life secure,
For if my pilgrimage reserves me sorrow
The footprints show that He is strong and sure:
If I am near the gates of heaven weary,
No longer strong enough to stride alone
The footprints show that he is there to carry me:
The footprints show the Lord my God will bear me home.
I think this poem said it all. When we are at our lowest, he is there. He carries you through it all. All we need to do is let him.
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