It was then...that I carried you. Psalm 68:19 Patricia Ann, Originally posted Thursday, November 15, 2012
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation! Selah (Psalm 68:19)
On my birthday this past summer I was given a beautiful gift from a wonderful friend. I remember being a little upset because I thought he wasn't coming to the birthday celebration and I wanted him there so much. He arrived late, after the cake and ice cream, but he was always late to almost every occasion.
And I didn't expect him to bring me a gift, as his presence at my home on my birthday was gift enough for me. He walked in and sat down at the dining table and handed me a small stepping stone.
It was green - my favorite color and in the center of it was a footprint and the words "During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you...
I didn't know that this would be the last birthday celebration that my friend and I would share.
And I didn't know that the words written in the stepping stone would become so true to my life, as I experienced the last few months of my friends life with him going in and out of hospitals and care facilities.
I felt Jesus each and every day in my life as I continually lifted my friend to Jesus, encouraging him, loving him and sharing life with him.
And when he got to the point of not being able to talk very much, I continued to talk, sharing the glory of God and lifting my friend in prayer.
I read Scripture, sang songs to him and many times just sat quietly with him in his room.
It was just a few months after that birthday celebration, that my friend was lifted up in glory by our Father in Heaven. He passed away on a bright sunshiny morning and I remember seeing how extra bright the Son (sun) was shining that day. The leaves on the trees were brighter than usual, the air was crisp and the sky was a brilliant blue.
I remember feeling at peace. My friend's journey on this earth was finished, but I knew in my heart that he was engaging in a new and wonderful life - an everlasting life with Jesus. He was no longer ill, no longer subject to the torments
of this world.
He was at peace!
In the days since my friend went to live with Jesus, I have looked intently at the Footprints stepping stone that he gave me on my birthday.
And yes, it is true that during our times of trial and suffering, when there is only one set of footprints, our Father in Heaven is carrying us.
He carried my friend and he carried me through my friend's illness and passing.
I believe that the love of Jesus gives a peace and understanding that surpasses any human comprehension.
His great love for each of us was shown when He died on the cross for all of the sin of the world, for sickness and disease, for pain and anguish, for His love of mankind.
And because of this great love, He continues to carry us...
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation! Selah (Psalm 68:19)
My prayer for today is to remember that we don't have to walk through the trials of this life alone. Jesus has already carried the burdens for us and all we have to do is let go and allow him to carry us out of our trials and into His glory. And if you ever look down and see only one set of footprints in the sand....know that it was Jesus that carried you. Be glorified as we praise His Holy Name, Amen.
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 were one set of footprints. 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 have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?" The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you." Mary Stevenson
Copyright © 1984 Mary Stevenson, from original 1936 text, All rights reserved
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