Footprints

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 another 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 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 would 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."

M. R. Powers

Dr. Ogura's comment

This is one of the most profound and inspiring stories ever told.  It reveals the true nature of the Devine nature. God helps us even when you are not at all aware He is there with us. He is always walking along with us through all our struggles, ordeals, pains and sufferings and, as needed, carries us over the pains and sufferings when these become too much for us to bear.

Each one of our struggle, ordeal, pain and suffering is serving us as a grinding stone to polish our souls ridding us of our greed, false egos, false prides, and selfish demands and expectations. But, when we are stuck in a trouble that we cannot bear or get out, God carries us over the trouble. We should know that, however, if carrying us over the trouble is ultimately not good for our souls, He will not help us. Remember, God never enables us because He truly loves us.

Many of us "pray" to God.  But, in the name of "praying," too many of us are actually telling God what to do, such as asking Him to remove our pain and suffering or give us some money to get out of a debt or heal our illnesses. God may still help us or listen to our prayer if easing our pain or getting us out of a debt is ultimately good for our souls. But most of the time, God may not help us because "not helping" may be "truly helping."

God’s test for us is often given when we are in impossible struggles or ordeals and experience unbearable pains and sufferings. If we still maintain unshakable faith in Him, we are “One with God.” It’s a long and steep climb to get "there."

You may also read "The Gift in The Struggle" in this website and also refer to a great book,  “Words to Love By” by Mother Teresa. (You may find this book at www.barnesandnobles.com or www.amazon.com)

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