Last night I had a dream.
I dreamed I walked along the shore
with the Lord beside me,
and on the screen of night
all the days of my life were playing.
I looked back and saw that
for each day of my life shown in that film,
there were footprints in the sand:
one mine and one the Lord's.
So I went on, until
all my days had passed.
Then I stopped and looked behind me
and noticed that in certain places
there was only one footprint.
These places matched the days
when life was hardest:
the days of deepest anguish,
greatest fear, and greatest pain.
So I asked:
"Lord, You said You would be with me
all the days of my life,
and I accepted to walk with You.
But why did You leave me alone
at my darkest moments?"
And the Lord answered:
"My child, I love you and I told you
I would be with you every step of the way,
that I would never leave you alone—
not for a moment,
and I never did.
The days when you saw only one footprint in the sand
were the days I carried you in my arms.
— Anonymous, Brazil