by Mary 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 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."
The first time I read this poem, I cried.
I was young, and had yet to experience some of life's harder trials. But, even when we are young, we wonder where God is, especially during times of crisis.
This poem taught me a lot about faith.
When I am overwhelmed, and feeling lost, those are the times when I can, and should, lean on God. God will carry me.
Eventually, when I am ready to walk on my own, God will gently place me down. With both feet solidly on the ground, I will walk tall, because God is everpresent at my side.
Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.
With love and optimism,
RivkA
*Copyright © 1984 Mary Stevenson, from original 1936 text, All rights reserved
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10 comments:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/27case.html?src=me&ref=homepage
That poem has a lot of meaning for me.
A few years back at a local op shop I picked up a book on its history telling how she came to write this poem - and how someone else claimed it as their own.
both the poem and your connections/ reflections are truly lovely and meaningful. thank you for the gentle reminder about faith.
I love this poem too, RivkA. It has ministered to me many times in my life.
Blessings~ Andrea
xoxoxoxox
I have this poem on a magnet on my fridge, I love it.....:-) Hugs
Thank you for sharing this poem. It brought tears to my eyes.
It's like I always say....
"Life's A Beach ...."
... and then the wave comes along and knocks you on your backside again.
Eventually you get up, look around at the clean expanse of sand that the wave has left behind, and think, "How lovely!
Life's A Beach ...."
... and then the wave comes along....
I love that poem too. And i love that you have a photo as your avatar. Now whenever you leave a comment I see your smiling face :)
Anon -- thanks for the link. while it is certainly encouraging to read about other long term survivors, the article specifies that "People in this group tend to have disease that has spread to the bone (as opposed to lung or liver, say) and feeds on estrogen. They tend to do well on hormone treatments." I have disease in my bones, but my tumors are hormone negative.
Karen -- I would be interested in the book and learning more about the author. I discovered the history of the poem on Mary Stevenson's official website.
Minnesota Mamaleh, Andrea, Bernie, and Michele -- the image of the footprints in the sand is very powerful to me, perhaps because of the ocean and my connection to water; the image often pops into my mind and reminds me not to lose my faith, or my hope.
Eliyahu -- LOL! It's always good to add a humorous twist!
Cheryl -- yeah, sometimes I am a bit slow with the technology, but the time had come to figure it out....
Beautiful. I love the way you added your own thoughts after the poem. It is such a comfort to be able to feel G-d carrying us through our difficult times.
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