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 belonged to him, the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints left in the sand. He noticed that, in many locations along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that this single set of prints had happened at the lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him, and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that the moment I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me the entire way. But I've noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there's only one set of footprints. I don't understand this. When I needed you the most, why would you leave me?"

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child: I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you'd see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."