Dancing in the Sand. . .

Draw Me Close ~ Arrangement by Unknown (Piano & Cello Duo)
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

A dear friend of mine recently sent me a revised version of the “Footprints” poem. I have always been fond of the original version of this poem because of its powerful and encouraging message. In fact, the original poem was written by Mary Fishback Powers, who was a member of the church that I attended as a little girl. The story of the poem reminds us that regardless of the circumstances that may come into our life, Jesus is always walking with us through it all, if we draw close to Him. I hope, however, you find the following revised copy of the “Footprints Poem: Dancing with Jesus” as inspiring as I did:      

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 a while, 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 then an interesting thing 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.” Jesus replied.

“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 of 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!”  

~ Author Unknown ~

Dancing with Jesus
Through life's stormy seas,
My steps in His steps
I follow His lead.

Dancing with Jesus,
my life in His hands,
I'll trust Him forever
For He understands.
~ By Bonita ~