When I first became a believer in 1983, someone gave me a Footprints in the Sand poem, and it brought tears to my eyes. It helped me to realize that God never left my side when I was going through all of the struggles and hardships in life. Then, a couple of years ago, a friend gave me a new version of Footprints in the Sand, and it brought more tears to my eyes and helped me to remember my first love for Christ. I want to share both of them here.

Footprints in the Sand, Original Version

One night a man had a dream… He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.  For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.  When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.  He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.  He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. 

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.  “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way.  But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.  I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”  The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.  During the times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Footprints in the Sand, Another Version

Now, imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together.  For much of the way, the Lord’s footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.  But your prints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.  For much of the way, it seems to go like this.  But gradually, your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s soon paralleling his consistently.  You and Jesus are walking as true friends.

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens; your footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master’s are now waking precisely in his steps.  Inside his larger footprints are the small “sandprints” safely enclosed.  You and Jesus are becoming one.  This goes on for many miles.  But gradually you notice another change.  The footprint inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger.  Eventually it disappears all together.  There is only one set of footprints.  They have become one.  Again, this goes on for a long time.  But then something awful happens.  The second set of footprints is back.  And this time it seems worse.  Zigzags all over the place.  Stops.  Starts.  Deep gashes in the sand.  A veritable mess of prints.

You’re amazed and shocked.  But this is the end of your dream.  Now you speak, “Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on.  I was a new Christian, just learning.  But you walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you.”  “That is correct.”  “Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of yours, I was actually learning to walk in your steps.  I followed you very closely.”  “Very good.  You have understood everything so far.”  “Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with yours.  I supposed that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming like you in every way.”  “Precisely.” 

“But this is my question, Lord.  Was there a regression or something?  The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first.”  The Lord smiles, then laughs.  “You didn’t know?”  He asks, “That was when we danced.”