Not So Many Footsteps in the Sand

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with Jesus.
Across the sky flashed scenes from the Jesus’ life.
Healing the sick, feeding the poor, turning the other cheek.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to Jesus.

When the last scene of Jesus’ life flashed before him,
he looked back, at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the Path of Time since Jesus lived his life,
there were only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in history.
This really bothered him and he questioned Jesus about it:
"Jesus, you said that once we decided to follow you, you'd walk with us all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in history
there are only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when we needed you most you would leave us?"

The Jesus replied:
"I love you and I would never leave you,
During historical times of trial and suffering, like in the world today,
When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that humankind abandoned me."

And he started to cry. “Jesus,” said the man, “Why are you crying?”

“I cry for those that claim to know me or my father who fight Holy Wars and kill.
I cry for the children who eat bugs from lack of food and die from thirst,
I cry for those that claim to know me and don’t,
Those who keep their money and care nothing for their neighbors.
I cry for those who use my “Second Coming” as an excuse for evil.
There is no “Second Coming” for I have never left.

I cry for those forgotten ones, displaced from war, homeless, hopeless.
I cry for the lack of respect for the life-givers, the women of the world.
I cry for the churches that have great wealth while many die from hunger, thirst, disease.
I cry for all the wonders of my Father’s creation that are disappearing.”

The man stopped walking, for he, too, was now crying.
Then Jesus said “It is as if I had never lived.”

As the man walked down the beach, he noticed Jesus was gone,
He looked back and saw only one set of footprints in the sand…..

Author unknown

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