T
tobyjensen
Guest
I had been thinking for a week or two that I wanted to write a second verse to the famous poem, "Footprints in The Sand". You know the one.
Well, I sat down and wrote it one night. Let me know what you think.
I enclosed the original poem, “Footprints in the Sand†on the first page in case you want to read that first. Otherwise just skip to the last page.
toby
(one request when reading to a group - stop yourself from taking the one step at the end. The poem itself demonstrates the taking of that first step. Let your audience define for themselves what their first step will be or remembering what their first step was. Please stop from defining for your audience what or how the first step looks like.)
Footprints in the Sand
One night I had a dream.
I dreamed I was walking along the beach
with the Lord..
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..
For each scene, I noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me
and I 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 need you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied:
"My precious child, I love you and would
never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then
that I carried you."
by Mary Stevenson 1936
The Path Ahead
On another night I dreamed again.
I was standing on monumental cliffs.
And looking across the sky
I now saw what could become.
From dreams fulfilled of the deepest aspirations
In all the glory and splendor of a land of peace
Where all possibilities were achieved.
And time over time as I viewed what I could become
In all splendor and majesty - I saw virgin sand.
It had never been walked.
This bothered me as I remembered -
Everything that will be done has already been achieved.
The path simply must show tracks I thought.
I looked back and could see the footprints.
The single steps that brought us here.
And I wept openly as I remembered the struggles.
I also rejoiced in the strength that I had gained.
I turned and whispered to the Lord,
Who I knew would be by my side forever,
“Are we done now?â€
“Have I overcome all that I might enter into your rest?â€
He answered, “There is the final step before you join me.â€
As He gestured to the open path that lay ahead us both
And spoke, with the greatest sadness in His eyes,
“You get to walk alone.â€
And with tears in my eyes from struggles barely overcome
Or courage I accepted in faith.
I know not.
I simply took my first step.
By Toby Jensen
Well, I sat down and wrote it one night. Let me know what you think.
I enclosed the original poem, “Footprints in the Sand†on the first page in case you want to read that first. Otherwise just skip to the last page.
toby
(one request when reading to a group - stop yourself from taking the one step at the end. The poem itself demonstrates the taking of that first step. Let your audience define for themselves what their first step will be or remembering what their first step was. Please stop from defining for your audience what or how the first step looks like.)
Footprints in the Sand
One night I had a dream.
I dreamed I was walking along the beach
with the Lord..
Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..
For each scene, I noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me
and I 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 need you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied:
"My precious child, I love you and would
never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then
that I carried you."
by Mary Stevenson 1936
The Path Ahead
On another night I dreamed again.
I was standing on monumental cliffs.
And looking across the sky
I now saw what could become.
From dreams fulfilled of the deepest aspirations
In all the glory and splendor of a land of peace
Where all possibilities were achieved.
And time over time as I viewed what I could become
In all splendor and majesty - I saw virgin sand.
It had never been walked.
This bothered me as I remembered -
Everything that will be done has already been achieved.
The path simply must show tracks I thought.
I looked back and could see the footprints.
The single steps that brought us here.
And I wept openly as I remembered the struggles.
I also rejoiced in the strength that I had gained.
I turned and whispered to the Lord,
Who I knew would be by my side forever,
“Are we done now?â€
“Have I overcome all that I might enter into your rest?â€
He answered, “There is the final step before you join me.â€
As He gestured to the open path that lay ahead us both
And spoke, with the greatest sadness in His eyes,
“You get to walk alone.â€
And with tears in my eyes from struggles barely overcome
Or courage I accepted in faith.
I know not.
I simply took my first step.
By Toby Jensen
