That was the title of the sermon this morning at church. It also marked the third time this week I've been reminded of His footprints. So when I scanned over the church bulletin, as I always do as soon as I sit down, I got chills. Again with His footprints!
It's been a long week and I haven't exactly felt my best. In talking with a woman I trust about my week, as I ended the conversation I mentioned feeling very alone. I felt I was constantly being pulled under water and couldn't figure out what I had done to 'deserve' it. I'm careful of my choices and actions. I wasn't always this conscientious, but I surely never intentionally hurt anyone so what was going on? I was having a hard time coming to grips with what I felt were unanswered prayers. For something so important and not just for me.
So when I told this woman all this she reminded me I was only in charge of me and my kids...no one else... and said, "Remember what's going on when there's one set of footprints. You are not alone."
I came home and in organizing a section of my closet I came across it. The only written thing I have my mom left for me. It's the poem "Footprints in the Sand". Hence my reason for doing this blog...thoughts, advice, reflections on life's little moments...so my kids will always have something from me about their years growing up. What if I can't recall all the 'little' stories I want them to know about? This way, I can.
Then this morning at church when I saw the title of the sermon, I knew I was being directly spoken to. The pastor made reference to Jesus's footprint on a stone outside the Chapel of Ascension in Jerusalem. He talked about the importance of His footprint in relation to the importance of His footsteps. Meaning? The steps He took in His life are what MADE him who He was. Just like the steps we take in our lives. The actions. The choices. The consequences that come from these steps, are what really matter. They are what really determine our walk in life, the legacy we will leave behind and the people we will turn out to be. In my case, I took it as the walk I'm trying to walk and the walk I want to exemplify for my kids. I can tell them all day long to do something or act a certain way, but if I'm doing the opposite...what am I really teaching them? What will I pass on? What people will I be forming them to be? Kids are smart. They are 'monkey-see-monkey-do' little sponges. I watch many friends exemplifying wonderful walks for their kids and for themselves. I want to do that. That is who I want to be. And I know, only I can make it happen.
I'm not perfect. Far from it. But I'm hoping my footsteps speak for the type of person I am and am striving to be. I'm not there yet, but I'm trying to stay on the right path with my steps. All I want is to do right by me and my kids.
And as I'm walking, I've started asking myself, "Is this something I'd want Ben/Shelby to do?" or "How will this affect Ben/Shelby?". I know (I KNOW) I don't do everything right. But I'm really trying to get it all as right as possible. Even when it's tough. Scratch that...**especially** when it's tough. They will know how to handle the easy stuff.
It's been a long week and I haven't exactly felt my best. In talking with a woman I trust about my week, as I ended the conversation I mentioned feeling very alone. I felt I was constantly being pulled under water and couldn't figure out what I had done to 'deserve' it. I'm careful of my choices and actions. I wasn't always this conscientious, but I surely never intentionally hurt anyone so what was going on? I was having a hard time coming to grips with what I felt were unanswered prayers. For something so important and not just for me.
So when I told this woman all this she reminded me I was only in charge of me and my kids...no one else... and said, "Remember what's going on when there's one set of footprints. You are not alone."
I came home and in organizing a section of my closet I came across it. The only written thing I have my mom left for me. It's the poem "Footprints in the Sand". Hence my reason for doing this blog...thoughts, advice, reflections on life's little moments...so my kids will always have something from me about their years growing up. What if I can't recall all the 'little' stories I want them to know about? This way, I can.
Then this morning at church when I saw the title of the sermon, I knew I was being directly spoken to. The pastor made reference to Jesus's footprint on a stone outside the Chapel of Ascension in Jerusalem. He talked about the importance of His footprint in relation to the importance of His footsteps. Meaning? The steps He took in His life are what MADE him who He was. Just like the steps we take in our lives. The actions. The choices. The consequences that come from these steps, are what really matter. They are what really determine our walk in life, the legacy we will leave behind and the people we will turn out to be. In my case, I took it as the walk I'm trying to walk and the walk I want to exemplify for my kids. I can tell them all day long to do something or act a certain way, but if I'm doing the opposite...what am I really teaching them? What will I pass on? What people will I be forming them to be? Kids are smart. They are 'monkey-see-monkey-do' little sponges. I watch many friends exemplifying wonderful walks for their kids and for themselves. I want to do that. That is who I want to be. And I know, only I can make it happen.
I'm not perfect. Far from it. But I'm hoping my footsteps speak for the type of person I am and am striving to be. I'm not there yet, but I'm trying to stay on the right path with my steps. All I want is to do right by me and my kids.
And as I'm walking, I've started asking myself, "Is this something I'd want Ben/Shelby to do?" or "How will this affect Ben/Shelby?". I know (I KNOW) I don't do everything right. But I'm really trying to get it all as right as possible. Even when it's tough. Scratch that...**especially** when it's tough. They will know how to handle the easy stuff.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
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.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
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 needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I 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."
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