Footprints in the Sand

Poem by Mary Jane Stevenson

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 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 noticed that during the most trying
periods of my life there have only been
One set of prints in the sand.
Why, when I have 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."