Who is the true author of "Footprints"?
| There seem to be a
number of versions of this famous poem out there. While I only had
enough information to form my own opinion on the subject, I put up this
page on my site so that others could form their own and maybe be
inspired along the way.
I could choose one side or another and put the author of my choice
under this famous poem, but I don't think that would be right. I
couldn't possibly prove one way or another who actually wrote it. I received a
link to a website
Footprints in the Sand. After reading the story there, I remembered a book I
read entitled "Footprints, The True Story Behind the Poem
that Inspired Millions" by Margaret Fishback Powers, about the very
subject. However, the stories are both quite different and it's
hard to even form an opinion let alone know the truth. I never
knew there was a controversy over who actually penned it. I just
remember seeing it all over the place and thought it was quite
inspiring. I never thought about copyrights or permissions nor did
I ever look at the author and notice that it might have been a different person the
next time. Then I bought the book I mentioned when I saw it at a
local bookstore. Months later followed an e-mail with a link
telling a totally different story of its origin and then even later an
e-mail staking another claim to this mysterious poem, by a Burrell Webb.
Finally, I received an e-mail from Carolyn Joyce Carty staking claim on
the same poem Burrell claims to own. She apparently has a legal
copyright and legally I was required to place her name as the author. Only God knows the true answer to the question "Who wrote that poem?" and it certainly brings the question to my mind, "is it possible the Lord inspired different people at different times to write similar poems based on different experiences in their lives?". I certainly believe God has a reason for everything and maybe He's showing us once again one of His amazing ways of reaching out to us by giving these loving words to all of these people. With God anything is possible, but either way, I am sure it was written for a reason and has made a difference in the lives of many. While I believe all of that is true, it is unfortunate that some people will try to take what isn't theirs. While it is nice to be recognized for doing something great, I believe God prefers us to remain humble and not turn such a beautiful thing into such a controversy. There are three versions of the poem here sharing a common message. God is of three persons; the Trinity. Maybe this is His way of sharing Himself and reminding us that we need need the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit through three different people. However God got those words down on paper; I thank Him for His love, comfort and promise to us all, that He will always be with us and never forsake us! There are still different versions out there, probably interpreted over the years, but you can read below three versions of the poem, one taken directly from the website linked above, another from the book by Margaret and a third that is copyrighted to Carolyn Joyce Carty. Thank you, Caroyln, for permission to display your poem here. |
| I Had a
Dream One night I had a dream I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and the other to my Lord. When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only on set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times in my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma. "Lord, you told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You most, you leave me." He whispered, "My precious, precious child, I love you and will never leave you never, ever during your times of trial and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints It was then that I carried you." Margaret Fishback Powers |
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the
beach with the Lord.
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FOOTPRINTS One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: One belonged to him, 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 path of his life there was only one set of foot prints. He also noticed that it happened at the 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 follow you you would walk with me all of the way But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of 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 your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. By Carolyn Joyce Carty © |