Footprints

As a Man Thinketh ...

 

    A wise man stood at the gate of an ancient city and greeted travelers as they arrived. One day, a traveler asked him:

    "What kind of people live in this city?"

    The wise man responded with a question of his own: "What kind of people lived in the city from whence you came?"

    "Oh, they were very bad people," answered the traveler, "cruel, deceitful, and devil-worshipping."

    "You'll find the same kind of people in this city," sighed the wise man.

    Some time later, a second traveler came to the gate and asked about the people in the city. The wise man again asked his question:

    "What kind of people lived in the city from whence you came?"

    "Oh, they were very good people," answered the second traveler, "hard-working, generous, and God-fearing."

    "You'll find the same kind of people in this city," smiled the wise man.

 

Footprints

 

    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. 
    When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that at times of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that these were the lowest and saddest times in his life.
    This bothered him, and he asked the Lord, "You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. Why, when I needed You most, did You leave me?" The Lord replied, "My son, I love you and would never leave you. During those times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I was carrying you."

- ur the Missionary's little book of inspirational stories.