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 in the sand,
is when I carried you.”

-Mary Stevenson

This poem inspired millions. I am one of them.

The sun does not always shine. No matter how much I try, how much I persist, there will still be days and weeks and months when everything I attempt results in frustration and failure.

Adversity is with us from birth to burial. It terrorizes the employee struggling to keep his job, the father struggling to feed his family, the sales person hoping to sell his product, the soldier leading others into battle.

But there is a higher power that we all should believe in, and when you do, any time of adversity can be transformed into a triumphant turning point. Confornt someone with dark horror and the person will impulsively say, "Oh My God!"

Whenever I am struck down by any terrible defeat or frustration, I always inquire of myself, after the first pain has passed, how can I turn the adversity into good. Those adversities can make me a better man or a bitter man.

I choose to be a better man.