11/14/10 Thankful

Today I am thankful for my faith.  I am thankful that through this tough time I have had my faith to lift me up, and I am thankful that I feel that in the last year I have continued to grow in my faith.  I am thankful for Father Mark's homily about perseverance today. It was just what I needed to hear. I am thankful that in church today we sang, "Be Not Afraid."   It was just what I needed to sing.  I am thankful that when I feel I can't do it, and I start to get angry with God, I think of the famous Footprints story and it brings me immense comfort.  I am thankful that although I may not understand or know what it is yet, God has a plan for me.


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 was one only.
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 has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you.”

-1984 Mary Stevenson