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 you times of trial and
suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then
that I carried you."