FOOTPRINTS

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."