Trials

"It's wonderful what God can do with a broken heart, if He gets all the pieces." (Samuel Chadwick)

Early this week I suddenly received a message from my daughter’s tutor that she has to stop giving tuition with immediate effect as she is not feeling well and is in low spirit. We do not know exactly what happened, be it her health issues or family matters. Nevertheless, it must be quite serious to cause her to make such an abrupt decision.

Indeed, trial can come any moment in our lives and no one can run away from it. What matters most is not so much what happens to us, but how we deal with it. In fact, people make surprised and big discoveries in time of darkness in their lives.We gain the right perspective on many things when we are brought down to our knees. It is said that sometimes a dark tunnel is the shortest way round a hill.

I am particularly inspired by Mary Stevenson’s poem, “Footprints in the Sand”. Mary was born in a big family. She lost her mother at the age of six. Most of her childhood was spent during The Great Depression. When she was sixteen she entered into an abusive marriage that resulted in her having to run away and finding refuge with her infant son.Inspired by the many things that had affected her life, she wrote this beautiful poem. May those who are in distress gain strength and comfort from it in their time of need.

                          One night I dreamed I was walking
                          along the beach with the Lord.
                          Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
                          In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
                          Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, 
                          other times there were one set of footprints.
                         This bothered me because I noticed that
                         during the low periods of my life,
                         when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
                         I could see only one set of footprints.
                         So I said to the Lord,
                         "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you,
                         you would walk with me always.
                         But I have noticed that
                        during the most trying periods of my life,
                        there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
                        Why, when I needed you most,
                        you have not been there for me?"
                        The Lord replied,
                        "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints,
                        is when I carried you."

 (Mary Stevenson)