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 form his life
For each scene, noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
one belonged 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 paths 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 followed 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 the most you would leave me?

The Lord replied,
"My precious, precious child,
I love you,
and I would never leave you.
During the times of trial and suffering,
When you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.