Laguna Beach Aug. 2008...a stranger left us a nice note in the sandMy normal morning routine is to rise pretty early and go straight to the computer. I check email, I read blogs, I spend far too much time on my favorite internet site "slowtrav.com". The first thing that caught my eye today was on my slowtrav friend, Kim's blog. She quoted a piece of writing entitled, "Footprints". It's something that seems to come along every now and then with just enough time between readings that when you re-read it, it is meaningful all over again. I love things that seem to come along just at the right time. It's soothing, comforting. What it feels like is that your questions are being heard and someone is listening to you and is answering you. The thing is sometimes you don't know if anyone is hearing you and then a sign pops up, or a quote on a blog or something obscure appears in your path written in the sand and you feel like you are not alone and you are certainly being heard. I was reminded of a time in my life when I felt particularly stressed, feeling torn and overburdened with responsibilities for my mom and my children and work and taking night classes. That morning I was driving along filled with anxiety. The light turned red and I slowed the car to a stop. I glanced down to the bumper sticker pasted on the car in front of me. This is what it said: "Don't worry, it's in God's hands."
Sometimes that's all you need to remember. There will be signs.
Here is the "Footprints" passage.
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." Mary Stevenson
5 comments:
Barb, you are writing lovely posts--I love the way you express yourself and your use of words.
I gave Casey a child's version of the Footprints for Christmas--a plaque to hang in his room. I like it, too.
Yes, we are in good hands! Congratulations on your wonderful new blog!
Palma
Jane and Palma, thank you for your good wishes. You both are my inspirations in the blogging world and in life! Cheers and Happy New Year.
Lovely post, Barb. I liked the photo, too - I've been meaning to write in the sand and take a picture ... next time I'm in Santa Cruz, for sure! Best wishes for an enjoyable time with your new blog. :)
Hi Barb (I "followed" you here from my blog!)
I love the footprints passage too, and was glad to be reminded of it on Kim's blog, and now again on yours. And I love your message about signs. That's how it felt to me when I glanced down at a coaster on my table and read: "Wait upon the Lord...and he will give you strength". A sign of hope when I was feeling sad and helpless about a friend's depression.
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