Footprints in the Sand

One of my earliest and most salient memories has always had a profound effect on me. One beautiful spring day, when I was about 5 years old, I spent hours laboring over a puzzle on my bedroom floor. The puzzle was a photo of the beach at sunset, much like the picture above, with a poem written in cursive called "Footprints in the Sand" (see below). This poem has always tugged on my heartstrings, and it may be because I have such an intense memory connected to it to this day.

After immersing myself in this project for hours (or so it seemed, in my 5-year old mind), there was one particular piece that I could not find a place for - it simply didn't fit anywhere. In my final attempt at making it belong somewhere, I muttered out loud: "God, can you please help me find where this puzzle piece fits?" Literally, in that instant, it was as if some supernatural force picked up my arm and placed my hand exactly where it needed to be. I immediately found the spot waiting for that piece. I know this may sound like a corny and childlike fantasy, but it is as real today as it was when it happened 25 years ago. I ran upstairs, all out of breath and exhilerated, to tell my mother what had happened. To this day, that is the closest encounter I've ever had with a physical experience like that. While I am not religious, I am spiritual, and I believe that some higher power - the energy in the universe, perhaps, manifests itself in our lives in miraculous ways every single day.

On a final note, I recently discovered that the author of this poem, while "previously unknown", is actually a woman named Mary Stevenson. Ironically, my Grandmother's (who passed away in 2006) maiden name was Mary Stevenson. She has always been a very important person in my life, and I miss her dearly. It was touching to discover this connection just last year...a little message from sent from her from up above, maybe?



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 were 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 have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson