Give Us Strength (July 1, 2024)

 “Mom, you have to read this poem.”

It was none other than the classic “Footprints in the Sand.” She had never heard it until recently at girl’s camp.

As she shared how much it touched her, I looked at this daughter who had been through so much these last couple years, & couldn’t help but feel touched. I have shared a little here in this semi-anonymous spiritual space (that I’ve been neglecting lately!) as her trials consumed our lives for a bit. There were many unknowns, much heartbreak, & utter fear. Not many knew, & I knew not many would really understand. I barely did. I spent hours researching for answers. It affected our whole family & was extremely difficult.

That darkness is behind us.

And I saw it clearly in my mind: One set of footprints in the sand.

“It was then that I carried you.”

I witnessed my daughter being carried❤️ Part of me can’t believe we made it through those things, & while I know the future is never safe, I simply have to give thanks for right here & right now!!!

Reading about Alma & Amulek this last week, I felt their pain through their trials. “How can we witness this awful scene?” (14:10). “How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord?” (26)

Ugh, hits ya in the gut.

The world is cruel. Being patient through trials can be agonizing. But I know from where my strength comes.

“O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance.”

🙏

“And they broke the cords with which they were bound”

Suffering comes with this life. But we break through. Again & again.

He carries us. One set of footprints.

(And when there are two sets & I’m managing the walk on my own, I can’t help but think that surely on my beach there is also one long dragging line from my giant rolling luggage cart for when I hand Him my burdens- Jesus take the wheel!)

I hate what my daughter went through & still must manage on a daily basis. But you know what? She recognizes Him through it. And so do I!

She broke through some major cords that held her bound.

And so did I.

And for that I have to express my love to my Savior for being there. In the sand. In the gravel. In the mud. In the trenches. He’s there.