By Rosie Moore

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.”

Many, many people have been comforted by this lovely poem. But who wrote it? Three women claim to have written it: Mary Stevenson in 1936,  Margaret Fishback Powers,  1964, and Carolyn Carty, in 1963.

Mary Stevenson was an Australian political activist. She wrote the poem when very young and knew nothing about copywriting. Then she thought she lost it. Years later she found it in an old suitcase while cleaning out her garage. Eleven years later it was authenticated by an forensic specialist, thus making her the true author. The other two women who also claimed authorship were found not to deserve a copyright for it. There was no significant proof of authorship. Actually, there were over twelve people claiming to have written it.

It doesn’t matter who wrote it. I think it was put into the author’s heart from heaven. It has impacted many lives and offers inspiration.

Thought for the day: He that respects himself is safe from others.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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