# Footsteps: A Reflection on the Father's Loving Care
*2014-05-06*

> Bill Young reflects on the classic “Footprints in the Sand” image and offers a prayer for the Father, dedicating it to the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

## The Footsteps Reflection

One night a man dreamed that he was walking alone on a beach with the Lord. As scenes from his life flashed before him, he saw two sets of footprints in the sand—one belonging to him and the other to the Lord. When the final scenes appeared, he looked back and noticed that during the lowest and saddest moments of his life there was only one set of footprints. This troubled him, and he asked the Lord why He seemed to have left him in those times.

## The Lord’s Answer

The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. In the times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I was carrying you.”

## Prayer to the Father

Father, the earth needs you; everyone needs you. We pray to you, Father, because even the heavy, polluted air longs for your presence. Come back to walk along the roads of the world. Come back to live among your children. Come back to rule the nations. Come back to bring peace and justice. Come back to kindle the fire of love so that, redeemed from sorrow, we may become new creatures. Amen.

*Even when we see only one set of footprints, God is carrying us.*