Footprints in the Sand

by Mary Stevenson.

One night I dreamed a dream:

I walked along the beach with Jesus.

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life,

and in each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:

one belonging to myself, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand,

and noticed that many times, along the path of life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that the single set of footprints

happened at my very lowest times in life.

So, I questioned the LORD:

"Jesus, when I chose to follow you,

you promised to walk beside me all the way.

But I noticed that during my most trying times,

there is only one set of footprints in the sand.

Why would you leave me, when I needed you most?"

The LORD replied:

"My precious child,

I love you and would never leave you.

During those times of trial and suffering,

when you saw only one set of footprints in the sand,

those were the times . . . I carried you."

Why is it, in our times of need, we push those closest to us away?

Why do we have trouble allowing people to support us and help us?

I look back on my marriage and can clearly see where a lot of problems began. I needed Charlie to support me. I needed Charlie to walk alongside me. I needed Charlie to carry me when the path became too hard.

He didn't know how I needed him......because I never told him.

He didn't know how to cope........so he turned his back.

He didn't know I loved him.........because I never told him.

One of the greatest lessons we have learned is how to support each other, how to be there for the other person, how to not turn away and leave that person isolated and alone.