Footprints

Year 3 week 39

24th – 30th September 2018

I have been reminded lately of a poem I have known since I was a kid. It’s a very well known poem called ‘Footprints in the sand’. It goes:-

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You’d walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you.”

Sometimes in life I can feel I am doing things alone. When I started this journey I felt I had so much support and I think that was why I did so well. Sometimes though, I can feel that no one understands what you are going through. Sometimes I feel I am struggling alone.

In recent weeks that is exactly how I have felt. Doing things on your own is so much harder than when you have the support of the people around you.

Last week when I confessed my thoughts to Matt and Jenny (my nutritionist) it was such a release. Someone else knowing how I felt helped loads. It also made me realise that I had never been alone – they had been with me every step of the way carrying me but I just didn’t know it.

They weren’t the only ones who are there for me. My friends are there for me too and I also have God’s help. I just need to remember to ask for help and to say I’m struggling.

This week has been such a better week. Jenny has given me a new diet plan and I have to say I have done really well and I have even lost a few pounds.

Trying harder on the diet is never easy and going hungry is the worst but knowing I have so many people on my side carrying me through it makes it all worth while.

Asking for help and support and to admit you are struggling is not a shameful thing. In fact it’s a sign of strength. So if you feel you are struggling alone ask a friend or a family member to help and remember God is always there too.