FOOTSTEPS (and more)

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 belonged 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 precious, 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."

(Author & Artist Unknown)

I have been through some trials, some real painful times, and I've hurt till I thought I would break. I may have just given up a long time ago, if it weren't for my dear loved ones' sake.

In the midst of it all I would read of the joy that many others received in their trials, and I wondered, "Why Lord, why them and not me?", as I walked through my long, lonely miles.

Many days I spent crying and feeling quite sure that I'd never be happy again, and the pain that I felt seemed unbearable at times for I saw with the eyes of mere man.

I would struggle and fight to feel better again, and to feel the close presence of Jesus, but the harder I tried, the more that it seemed I couldn't find His sweet love that can free us.

Then finally one day I said, "I just quit, I'm tired, I can't fight any longer!" And a voice deep inside said, "You've made the right choice, now just rest and let me make you stronger."

Then the Lord reached inside me and He touched my life in a way that I never expected. As His undying love was deeply revealed, I reached out and no more felt rejected.

Now most 'things' haven't changed in my life since that day, but the changes have happened inside me. I'm at peace now because it's since then, thank the Lord, that now through His eyes I can see.

He has lifted me up from a dark lonely place, He has held me through all of my sorrows. And I know without doubt He is with me today, He'll be with me in all my tomorrows.

- Lorraine Harvey, 1986 -

If you had a child, and that child was in grave danger, what would you do? Would you sit by and watch as harm befell your precious child? Or would you do everything in your power to protect your child?

You say you are not in physical danger. What about spiritual danger?

Maybe its time to do something, for there is no time like the present.

I firmly believe that there is a Heaven. The ticket to Heaven is free. All you have to do is ask the Lord into your heart and your life and He will be there. You don't have to do anything to prove you are worthy, you don't have to become a Saint. But you do have to try to live your life for Him.

That is all there is to it. Once you do, you will be surprised at how your life can change, the peace and joy that will fill you. It doesn't happen over night, although for some maybe it does. It's a commitment to the Lord and to the life you want to live and the person you want to be.

Someday you may be a parent. You will do anything for your child, as God does for us. He is the ultimate parent. No one can love you the way He does. He is always there for you, not just when you think you need Him. There are no conditions to His love. God does answer prayers. We just have to learn to listen for His answers. Maybe His answers aren't always what we want or prayed for but He knows best.

If the world ended tomorrow, do you know where you would go? Heaven, Hell, nowhere? The key to Heaven is right there inside you. You just have to take the first step. You won't be sorry. He will bless you more than you ever dreamed possible.

[Peggy Waters - 10/99]

"With all the earnestness I possess I tell you this: Unless you are born again, you can never get into the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3-7)

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, and your entire household." (Acts 16:31)