Footprints

One night a man had a dream.  He dreamed he was walking

along the beach with the Lord.  Across the shy 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 question 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 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."