one night a man had a dream.

he dreamed that 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."