Footprints in the Sand or “Footprints” is a poem in which the author tells us about the different challenges an individual has to face. This poem depicts the deep relationship a man has with God. It tells us that man is never alone, he always has God with him.

The writer, Margaret Fishback Power wrote this poem when she herself was in a difficult situation. She was at a crossroads in her life and all ways seemed lost. Unlike popular beliefs, this poem has no Biblical references. It only adopts the Biblical idea. 

Footprints In The Sand 

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.

Lessons In The Poem Footprints In The Sand

The poem teaches us some very important lessons. It shows us that we are

• Never Truly Alone 
• We Have Nothing To Be Afraid Of 
• We Can Pass On This Hope To Others 
• God Is The Mightiest

Also Read: The Broken Chain Poem