Footprints in the Sand!

Today I'm going to recite a simple but powerful poem that has inspired millions of people during their time of despair since the late 1940’s! It’s called “Footprints in the Sand”. Mary Stevenson wrote it at a very young age in 1936. She was born in 1922. She lost her mother at age six. The burden of raising 8 children fell on her father. Most of her childhood was spent during one of America’s toughest and most trying times, The Great Depression! She was inspired to write “Footprints in the Sand” after many unpleasant things affected her young life. She shared handwritten copies of it with those whom she felt were in need of some words of comfort to gain strength during those difficult times. You could follow the link I’ve given to learn more about her! Thank You. Happy Listening!

The Official Website for Footprints in the Sand

babababababababababababa

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

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 were one set of footprints.

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 noticed that during the most trying periods

Of my life there have only been

One set of prints in the sand.

Why, When I needed You most,

You have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have seen only

One set of footprints

Is when I carried you."

by Mary Stevenson

cdcdcdcdcdcdcdcdcdcdcd

~* GS *~

June 15th, 2012

Note: If you have a similar poem that had inspired you or could motivate others, why don't you share it here with the rest of us?! I would be very glad if you come up with a voice recording on top of the text. Thank you!

G's Voice Blog No.1

Tags: English, Gabriel Sowrian, Poem, Voice Blog

4 members like this

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of EnglishClub to add comments!

Join EnglishClub

Comment by Hala J.M on June 19, 2012 at 21:55: @ Gabriel:

Thank you very much for the nice reply ,I appreciate your words .

Have a nice day dear .

Comment by Hala J.M on June 19, 2012 at 15:23: @Galina:

Thank you for the nice words dear . This nice poem and your wonderful comment on it made me remember many spiritual and emotional poems and quotes :

The sun was just sitting

on the empty tropical beach

A cool breeze brushed through the palm trees

The only trace of human

was a two pairs of footprints

in the soft sand

The owners are unknown

but the memories remain

It seems that we need from time to time to refresh our souls by true emotional words to make us go on in this practical ,harsh life..

Thanks again Galina ,have anice day :)

Comment by Prostomolotova Galina on June 19, 2012 at 10:16: @ Hala: Dear Hala what inspirational words you presented in your comment ( I mean these):

Some people move our souls to dance..

They awakens us to true understanding

With the passing whisper of their wisdom

Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.

They stay in our lives for a while ,

Leave footprints on our hearts,

and we are never ever the same.

These words are so true, so beautiful, so emotional...

And I like the quote: " Life's not about the steps you've taken

But the footprints you've left behind".

You're a very wise person. Thanks for sharing....

Comment by Gabriel Sowrian on June 18, 2012 at 19:17: Dear Hala,

I’m more than pleased with your participation! You know, that’s a lovely poem; packed with reality that we often fail to cherish. The last three lines have truly captured my Heart and Mind...

They stay in our lives for a while,

Leave footprints on our hearts,

And we are never ever the same.

That's beautiful! Thank you for the contribution, my friend. Take care!

Regards,

~* GS *~

Comment by Hala J.M on June 17, 2012 at 18:07: It's really an important poem in literature ,I remember when I studied it at university in a discussion about spiritual poems .It has many interpretation reflects the depression and the disappointment of the broken spirit ....the emptiness inside, which affects the mind with blackness and lonliness,until the hand of God lifts the soul and gives it hope .

As dear Galina said, it can be interprted about the importance of true friends around us who can provide our souls with hope and shines our world .

Some people move our souls to dance..

They awakens us to true understanding

With the passing whisper of their wisdom

Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.

They stay in our lives for a while ,

Leave footprints on our hearts,

and we are never ever the same.

Thank you very much for sharing this meaningful poem here with the wonderful music in the background.

Comment by Gabriel Sowrian on June 16, 2012 at 22:46: Hi Anele!

It came as no surprise to learn that it always moves you to tears upon reading (or hearing) the reply of the Almighty, in response to the query of the ‘questioner’, at the end of the poem! You know what? I’m no exception either! I had to record my recitation a few times, as my voice was cracking with emotion each time I approached the Lord’s lines, before managed to compose my inner fervour!

Well! I find your version of the episode very interesting :-) Also, I like the ‘portrayal’ of the fallen condition of the man – it’s wonderfully fit for the given scenario! You deserve a big round of applause…

Now, the task you’ve given me. Quite frankly, it’s a tough nut to crack! Ooh… I wish Mary Stevenson would come to my rescue! That’s impossible… but it gave me pause for thought! I think the answer is hidden within the story itself. Allow me to rephrase your words to get to it…

Initially…

He was contented with life because he had money!

The family was wonderful to him because he had money!

Everybody loved him because he had money!

But…

When his place suffered a great loss, he was left with no money!

He lost his ‘wonderful’ family as he was left with no money!

Nobody loved him any more because he was left with no money!

However...

When he started to question, unconsciously, the existence of the Almighty and why all these happened to him, he noticed that he is talking to ‘someone’…! Then, his conscience pricked him that he failed to believe in the existence of the benevolent God all this while to whom he can really talk to any time of the day – Good or Bad. Now he realized that there’s a Supreme Power he can turn to for solace! This made him remember HIM and the much needed HOPE at that time of desperation! That's it...!!

I’m sorry if there’s just no pleasing with my answer! Anyway, I have a caption for your ‘portrayal’…

"Don't worry! He will hold you in the palm of His hand."

Thank you for dropping by, Anele! God Bless You! Enjoy your Sunday!

Regards,

~* GS *~

Comment by Gabriel Sowrian on June 16, 2012 at 15:11: GG GG

I always value your honesty of appreciation

on my text, audio and video works here at MyEC!

I’m deeply indebted to you for all the moral supports

you’ve demonstrated from day one since we came to know each other!

Thank you for being such staunch and trusted friend at all times...

I’m Truly Blessed. Take care, My Dear Friend!

Warm Regards,

~* GS *~

Mod Comment by Anele on June 15, 2012 at 23:40: Hello Gabriel,

I first came to know this inspirational poem as a song and came to love it by heart. The part where the Almighty answered "It was then....that I carried you" brought buckets of tears always from my eyes. This is one manifestation how great His love truly is!

I have another version of my story about how HE truly cares for us. But my story needs your critical mind to answer.......hehehe. Don't worry I believe that you can always satisfy my question... Are you ready? Brace yourself up because it is very long........(JOKE)

Once there was a very rich man who was almost content of his life. He had a wonderful family and everybody loved him. But this was but temporary. When his place suffered a great loss from economic decline, he went broke and lost his family. He became remorseful and began to question the existence of the Almighty. All of a sudden, he remembered HIM, eh? Gabriel, my question is ...........how will you give your explanation to my portrayal of this man's fallen condition?

Here is my portrayal................

I leave the written explanation to your critical thinking because no one can make it more beautiful than your own words.........

By the way..........the portrayal was done in photoshop the inspiration of which came from your blog!............Thanks Gabriel. This poem is my inspiration even at my blessed times.

Comment by selma on June 15, 2012 at 22:48: Thank you Gabriel and Galina, for this special blog & comment which are more than ordinary activation emotional loaded.

Comment by Gabriel Sowrian on June 15, 2012 at 21:24: Gosh! That’s a Beautiful Song. Thanks for the trouble you took to search for it over the Net. Now you’ve reinforced your earlier statement that the poem could be given a different interpretation, i.e. a true friend is always there for us even if we fail to pick his devotion out! You are amazing, Galina! Thanks again! Bye!!

Regards,

~* GS *~