"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our heart and we are never, ever the same."
Footprints in the Sand
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 of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, You said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of 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.
Author unknown
Footprints II
In another dream that followed again he asked once more about the footprints of his life left along the shore.
"Dear Lord, It's now quite clear to me that You were always there and that You never left my side when I was in despair. But how could You have led me through such troubled times as those? If You love me as you say you do why did I face such woes?
For I followed where You led me. You know You've been my guide. So why was I to suffer, when upon you I relied? And though You carried me at times--deciding my direction; I still wonder why You let me stray away from your protection? "
"My child," the Lord softly said, "though I've walked with you each day; I never led the path we took nor let you walk astray. When you look upon those footprints lying in the sand You'll see I merely walked with you and gently held your hand.
For the life I gave to you is yours. And though I love you dear. The path you followed you had chose though I was always near. And though it's true, I carried you during times of pain and strife. You decided where I left those footprints in your life.
You see, I loved you so much so--I gave you your own will, Although you've made mistakes, my child; you know I've loved you still.
For you had chose to live along the path left by my Son and though your steps fell short of his, through Him you now live on! "
Anthony John Goebel