If, like me, you're on the internet often you probably receive dozens of e-mails that are being circulated and re-circulated – one friend actually calls then regurgitated e-mails! They come from whoever to wherever, their original author well and truly lost. A favourite of mine....which has popped up countless times... reminds me that The Almighty Good's way of doing things is different to mine, always, yet He has my best interests at heart, always. That's why I should learn to see Him in everyone around me and then, hopefully, they will see Him through me. So....
I asked God for a flower…..He gave me a garden.
I asked for a tree…..He gave me a forest.
I asked for a river…….He gave me an ocean.
I asked for a friend……He gave me "YOU."
I don't know what your religious point of view is, or whether you believe in a God or not, but I suppose you've heard of Jesus Christ. I recently heard an interesting comment about him that gave his life a new perspective. I picked it up while doing the Alpha Course. The speaker said that it really must have been fun being one of Jesus' friends back then. You got to go to many parties and weddings with him and life was guaranteed to be fun when he was around.....good food and good wine(!). When you went fishing catching something was guaranteed....and what about getting sick or going to a funeral....even better....no?
In fact, it's not WHAT you have in your life, but WHOM you have in your life that counts. In Scripture's it says: To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes Ch 3: v1)
That's what I was thinking about the other day when my friend Angela e-mailed on to me a new version of a very well known reflective story alled Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson. I have seen this reproduced in all forms, from illuminated frames to credit-card type giveaways. I also have a poster of the original in my office, but it is such a nice story it is worth the repeat! But, before dismissing it if you already know the original, note that this is a new version, and it really caught me off guard at the end....what a blessing whoever you are who penned this new version for us to enjoy.
So let's have a look at FOOTPRINTS...anew
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but an interesting thing then happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.
Now you pray: "Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.”
"That is correct" comes the answer from the Almighty.
"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."
"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."
"When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."
"Precisely."
"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."
There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. "You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"
So....Let's dance!
