Gems of election - Footprints

Five years ago, I wrote this -

You have probably read "Footprint" many times. You have probably read many versions of "Footprint". You would not mind reading this one more time, I know, because it's such a beautiful story with beautiful words. Here you are -

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 belonging 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 of 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 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.

The story ends here. It does not quite, here is an SMS I received this morning -

"MaNY PeoPLe WiLL WaLK iN & ouT oF YouR LiFe BuT oNLY TRue PoLITIciANs WiLL LeaVe FooTPRiNTS iN YouR HeaRT"

…NAH!

(-_-)Give U my (")(") smelly feet.

Be careFUL whoM U waNT tO waLK WiTH iN tHe neXt FiVE yEARs. THe POWer iS iN YouR hANDs!

I have copied this exactly as it is with the CAPS on some alphabets.

Just like there are many versions of footprints, there are many versions of stories we have heard over in the weeks to come. Whatever version you have read, consider this Footprints Hymn -

Footprints Hymn

It can be sung to the tune 'Londonderry Air/O Danny Boy'.

Upon the shore, I walked with Him at even
And I looked back upon the path we’d trod
And in the sand I traced our way at even
And I was glad I’d walked through life with God:
For side by side we’d journeyed through together
All through the world’s wide wilderness of care
And side by side we’d journeyed through to even:
Safe at his side the Lord my God had brought me here.

But in my joy I caught a strain of sadness
To give me pause when thinking of my way
For on the shore I saw he’d left me lonely
When I had most the need of him to stay:
When I was tried he’d left me worn and wandering,
He’d left me lone when I was fighting fears,
He’d let me tread the steepest slopes in solitude
Before he came back to my side to dry my tears.

But then the Lord drew near to me in comfort
And in his tenderness he made it plain
That in the times when dread and darkness threatened
He was my shield and shelter from the pain:
For on his shoulders he was gently bearing
And on his shoulders I from harm was free:
The single trace of footprints of the Master,
The single trace of footprints shows he carried me.

So on the shore I walk with Him at even;
I face the latter days of life secure,
For if my pilgrimage reserves me sorrow
The footprints show that He is strong and sure:
If I am near the gates of heaven weary,
No longer strong enough to stride alone
The footprints show that he is there to carry me:
The footprints show the Lord my God will bear me home.

Dr. Robert Atkins