I love this image and it always brings back warm feelings for me.
Not only do I love my tattoo, which was new at the time, and the location I was, but I love footprints in the Sand!
I was walking the Beach in Peurto Escondito, Mexico. I noticed all my footprints in the sand behind me and had to stop and take a photo to remember the moment.
My favourite poem running through my head as I walked with tears rolling down my cheeks.
One night I had a dream–
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me 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.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I 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 in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
“I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave 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.”
Footprints in the Sand |
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 were one set of footprints. |
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 have only been one |
set of footprints in the sand. |
Why, when I needed you most, |
you have not been there for me?” |
The Lord replied, |
“The times when you have |
seen only one set of footprints, |
is when I carried you.” |
Mary Stevenson |
Copyright © 1984 Mary Stevenson, from original 1936 text, All rights reserved |