The New Footprints

Hugh and I have had a rough few days. I can't even explain why. I've been trying to find some ways to cope and came across this beautiful poem that I wanted to share. Footprints in the Sand has always been my favorite poem. Many of the obstacles I have been through are so foreign to the majority of people. So many times I have felt like I can't make it another step and then in my mind I always here...It was then that I carried you...and I can do it again for I know I am not alone. This poem is just as beautiful.

I think that part of the sadness has been so many people having babies and we just lost ours. Our neighbors brought their new little boy home and I know it hit Hugh hard. He was outside working on George's garden and it just made him sad to think they have their baby and all he has is this garden that he would greatfully give back to get our son back. Mother's Day is next week and I am having such a hard time with it. The very thought of the day brings tears to my eyes. I know I have the other boys but from this Mother's Day forward, I will always be missing something. You can never prepare yourself for losing your child no matter how much you try. Many times I watched friends of mine lose their child and was so greatful that I was not living that life. So many times I tried to put myself in their shoes and all I can say is that what I thought was nothing compared to living it. Even though so many times I feel alone, I truly know that I am not alone.

The New Footprints
Unknown

Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking along the beach together.
For much of the way the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently,
rarely varying in the pace. But your prints are in a disorganized stream of
zig zags, starts, stops, turn arounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way it seems to go like this. But gradually, your footprints
come in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and
Jesus are walking as true friends. This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens; your footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master's
are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His large footprints is the
smaller "sand print," safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one;
this goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change.
The footprints inside the larger footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually it disappears altogether. There is only one set of
footprints. They have become one; again this goes on for a long time.
But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back.
This time it seems even worse than before. Zig zags all over the place.
Stop...start. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints.
You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream. Now you
speak:

"Lord, I understand the first scene with the zig zags, fits,
starts, and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning.
But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."

"That is correct," replied the Lord.

"Then, when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually
learning to walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely."

"Very good. You have understood everything so far."

"Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours.
I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming more
like You in every way."

"Precisely."

"But this is my question, Lord. Was there a regression of something?
The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first."

The Lord smiles, then laughs. "You didn't know?" He says. "That was
when we danced."

Psalms 30:11 - Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing