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 was only one.
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 been only one set
of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed
you most, have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied "The years when you have
seen only one set of footprints, my child,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson 1936