How Far We’ve Come (04/27/2024)

This month of April is a blessed month for me. I celebrated my 74th birthday on the 6th and my 55th wedding anniversary on the 26th. Such milestones require reflection and honesty. It’s been a month of looking forward through the lens of gratitude for the past. I’m not there yet, but I am amazed at how far I have come.

Reflecting on our lives, looking back to see what we missed because of the pace and distractions, reveals to us the role of the LORD in our journey. The gifts of the Spirit along the way that helped me to find the way and to make a difference to myself and to my companions amaze me. The role of others in my journey, their loving support, their challenges, these all also humble me. And my Savior, who I have found to be trustworthy, promised He was with me always. I realize the pocket cross I carry is only a symbol of a greater truth, but so many times this past month, my hand has reached for and embraced that symbol as I spoke the words, “Thank you, Jesus.”

I am reminded of that familiar poem. I read it multiple times this month as I reflected.

One night I had a dream…

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;

One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before us,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

There was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

You would 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 in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child.

I love you, and I would never,

never leave you during your times of

trial and suffering.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you.[1]

Truly, I know my Savior and LORD has carried me many times, when I was weary, when I was sick, when I was alone. At times, He commissioned those around me to help me to the next oasis on the trek. Oh, my, how looking back changes one’s perspective for the future.

During this Easter season, I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to truly reflect on the LORD’s power and presence at play in our lives, in our world. During this season, we realize anew how Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection has changed the trajectory of human history and what that looks like up close, in our own life experiences.

As we continue on our journeys of faith, buoyed by the hope of trust in the promise of our Saviour, and fueled by the love that is the hallmark characteristic of one who knows Christ, let us be encouraged by our reflections of how we got here. While outsiders may comment on our journey by saying, “Look how far you’ve come,” we know in our minds and hearts, the truer reflection is “Look how far the LORD has brought me.”

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.

[1] There have been many versions of the poem written and circulated over the years; however, it is believed that the original was written by Mary Stevenson in 1939.