Footprints in the Sand

The past 24 hours I have strongly felt the truth expressed in the famous poem Footprints in the Sand. Never has sickness hit our family so suddenly and so intensely (Don't worry. Nothing life threatening. 71% of our family hit with stomach virus, including both of us parents). I am thankful for the priesthood, and for the privilege of giving blessings of healing by its power.

Footprints in the Sand

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,
"I love you, child, and would never leave you.
The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you."

-Mary Stevenson
(Blue text not in original.)