Monday Inspiration: A New Version of "Footprints" Author Unknown

 

 

Footprints

 

Imagine one night you have a dream.  In this vision you are on a dusty, narrow path. You and Jesus are walking together.  You notice footprints in the dirt as you walk.  The Lord's footprints are steady, constant, unvarying. Your footprints...disorganized steps with starts, abrupt stops, zigzags, many circles, some departures and returns.

 

As you look down the path, for much of the way, it goes like this. Then you notice, your footprints are more in line with Jesus' steps. You and Jesus are walking side by side, like true friends.

 

As you contemplate this perfection of walking together, you suddenly see that your foot prints become synchronized with Jesus. You and Jesus are becoming one.  Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones.  This continues for many miles...then you notice another change.

 

The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger, then disappear completely..

There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. Suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time the prints are all over the place. Gashes in the sand, zigzag footprints everywhere. Stops. Starts. A mess of footprints.

 

You are perplexed. Your dream ends. Now you pray:

 

"Lord, I understand the first scene, with the steps that were out of control. I was a new Christian. I was learning. I know that was when I was going through a storm. You were beside me helping me."

 

"That is correct." The Lord replies.

 

"And when the smaller footprints were inside Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, and following you very closely."

 

"Very good...You understand everything so far," Jesus says.

 

"When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way?"

 

"Precisely," He tells you.

 

"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse then the beginning!"

 

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. "You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:  A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to DANCE."

 

Weeping may endure for the night---Joy comes in the Morning!

 

It's not WHAT you have in your life, but WHOM you have in your life that counts...something to think about. 

 







Miracle Monday: Treasure in the Sand

Treasure in the Sand

"Despise not the day of small things..."

As experienced by Thomas Walker  (aka: Dad)

As Winter's chill crept through Central Florida that February 1989, the icy wind of despair was sweeping my heart.  I enjoyed metal detecting as a hobby and I figured since jobs had been few and far between, maybe I could find something of value on the beach.  My life goals were disappearing.  Everything I tried to do seemed in vain. I loaded up my metal detector and headed for New Smyrna beach. The beach was desolate when I arrived. I set up the metal detector and began scouring the sand for treasure.  Everything seemed futile...even this day of treasure hunting. Clouds covered the miles of sand.  Any trace of sunshine was lost as thoughts of doubt swirled through my mind.  All of a sudden something caught my eye. A worn out index card was peeking out of the sand. I had no idea how an index card had survived beach conditions. The card contained scriptures. I read the front side of the card Matthew 6:31-34.  

"Therefore, take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek;) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

I turned the card over.  This side of the card contained the scripture Psalm 37:4-5.  

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass."

I did not walk away that day with a handful of gold, but I gained something priceless.  I returned home with a treasure from God and a renewed hope that everything was going to be alright.  I carry this card in my Bible as a reminder. God sees us, He knows us and He cares. 

On a cloudy day

As I walked the beach

All hope seemed dismal and out of reach.

It seemed like despair had overtaken my soul,

I was losing my footing 

With no purpose or goal.

When like a beacon of light

God spoke to me there

His message was blowing 

In the salt spray air.   ---Thomas M. Walker