Footprints in the Sand[1]

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. 

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only. 

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, 

“You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?” 

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”