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, "My precious, precious
child. I love you, and I would
never, never leave you during
your times of trial and suffering.
When you saw only one set
of footprints, It was then that
I carried you."

Mary Stevenson 1984 ©