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 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.