Epilogue

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

“You have survived the winter because you are, and were, and always will be, very much loved. And long, long before you felt my warmth surrounding you, you were being freed and formed from within in ways so deep and profound, that you could not possibly know what was happening.”

–Mary Fahy, The Tree That Survived the Winter

It is a fact that even on the most overcast of days, though its rays are hidden from view, the sun is still shining. In a similar manner, I believe that God's Light continues to bless us even in our darkest moments. As I reflect back over the period of my illness, I see that a benevolent, unseen force was protecting me. This “amazing grace” guided me to the day treatment clinic, to my therapist Pat, to those people who steered me away from suicide, and ultimately to the healing at the Living Enrichment Center.

Nowhere is the principle of Divine protection more beautifully illustrated than in the anonymous essay, “Footprints in the Sand.” I first encountered this inspirational passage in an Ann Landers newspaper column a year before my illness. Soon, I began to see the text inscribed on parchment and plaques that were sold in various souvenir shops. One day, in the depths of my depression, I bought a copy for myself. Afterwards, I read the words and found them to be a source of solace and hope. I present them here for those readers who have yet to encounter their inspiring message.

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 precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

“God Answers Job Out of the Whirlwhind,” by William Blake