This is a poem that was given to me while I was going through cancer 11 yrs ago by an aunt, and I have read it over and over since then.

FOOTPRINTS

One night a man had a dream.  He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed scenes of 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 lowest and saddest times of 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 was only one set of footprints.  I don't understand why when I needed You most, You leave me."

The Lord replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and 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."