Poems, Poetry & Quotes

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND POEM

The Footprints Poem

There have been many different versions of the beautiful poem "Footprints in the Sand" written over the years.

They all follow the basic premise with slight variations on the words.

The author reaches the end of her life and looks back at two sets of footprints in the sand, one belongs to her and the other belongs to God. However, she notices during the rough times in her life that there are only one set of footprints. When she asks God about it, God explains that it was at those times in her life that He carried her.

Footprints Poem

Footprints in the Sand is a poem that we are all familiar with.

Most of us have heard, read or seen a copy of the "Footprints in the Sand" poem - which is now so popular that it is widely available in poster, bookmark or card form

Many people have found the footprints poem an encouragement during times of trouble or difficulty in their lives.

I hope that you will also find this Footprints poem uplifting, as you read it today.

The Original Words to Footprints in the Sand

Mary Stevenson originally wrote the poem Footprints in the Sand in 1936 when she was only 14 years old.

Unfortunately she did not keep a copy, however in 1984 she found a copy which was dated 1939 tucked away in an old travel case with other poems.

Therefore, the record states that the original version of Footprints in the Sand was written by Mary Stevenson in 1939.

This poem is sometimes referred to as "I Had A Dream". Leona Lewis, a British recording artist recorded a song based on the poem "Footprints in the Sand."

Writing Poetry

The author of the original Footprints in the Sand poem is Mary Stevenson.
1922 - 1999

You can view the Original Footprints in the Sand Poem and read her life story on the official website operated by the estate of Mary Stevenson.


Other Versions of the Footprints Poem

Footprints in the Sand Poem - Version 1

original footprints poem

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 belonging 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 path 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 follow 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 most, you would leave me."

The Lord replied,
"My son, My 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."

Carolyn Carty, 1963


Footprints in the Sand Poem - Version 2

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
"I don’t understand why, when I need You most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you,
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964


Footprints in the Sand Poem - Modern Day Version

One day, a person had a dream
On the sand, he saw footprints of two people side by side
One was his and the other was the Lord's
"Those footprints mark the life you've lived."
Lord, why did you step backwards
when I was climbing steep hills in my life?
Nor did you carry me..."
"My child whom I love,
I never left you and stepped backwards."
"Oh! a steep hill
Lord, please carry me."
"When we reach the top, you will have gotten stronger..."

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
Scenes from my life flashed across the sky,
In each, I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints;
other times there was only one.

During the lowest times of my life
I could see only one set of footprints,
so I said, "Lord, you promised me,
that you would walk with me always.
Why, when I have needed you most would you leave me?"

The Lord replied, "My precious child,
I love you and would never leave you.
The times when you have seen only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

May God bless your reading of this poem.

Footprints in the Sand

Lord you said that once I decided to follow You,
We would walk side by side through life;
but when I needed You the most,
I saw only one set of footprints in the sand.

The Lord replied, "I love You and I would never leave You.
During your times of trial and suffering, when you see
only ones set of footprints, it was then that I carried You."

footprints photo

Footprints for Children

The Lord will always walk with you
Along life's blessed beach,
His footprints there beside your own,
Always within reach.
Two sets of footprints, side by side,
From dawn to setting sun,
Yet there may come a day, my child,
When you'll see only one.
But do not think the Lord has left you -
Nothing could be more wrong.
It's just that he has picked you up
To carry you along.


A Psalm of Life

Tell me not, in mournful numbers
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! life is earnest!
And the grave is not the goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow;
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Footprints

Today, upon my garden walk,
Where fresh cement was laid,
You pressed your little heels and toes
And barefoot prints were made.

Beside this funny pair of feet,
With small and sturdy hand,
You wrote your own initials as
You write them in the sand.

Though you’ll be growing up, my dear,
And leaving me someday,
These little footprints on the walk
Will never run away.

I’ll keep them here forever, in
This special place, apart,
Just like the little footprints you
Have left upon my heart.

~ Kathy Dix

It's quite a feat of footwork
to walk in his shoes
ballet toed a mile or two
barefoot in the sand
seeing no footprint proof.
It's a feat of faith to follow.

Other Footprint Poetry

Footprints

The first imprint of Spirit
As it lights upon the earth;

A walk upon a sunset beach
with child-like joy and mirth.

The steps we resolutely take -
despite the trail behind;

Our mark upon eternity
in the precious sands of time.


A life of love
is a life well lived,
and we are the lucky ones
who got a chance to share this.
You may be an outlaw
but you made it into everyone's hearts
and not one of us
will be the same for it.
Everything with a smile,
a kiss and a hug.
We cherish it all,
for better or worse.
By chance we are family,
by choice we are friends.
Hearts entwined we find strength
to face all life's challenges.
Hand in hand we step forward
knowing we leave footprints in the sand.

In His Footsteps

When someone does a kindness
it always seems to me,
That's the way God up in heaven
would like us all to be...
For when we bring some pleasure
to another human heart,
We have followed in His footsteps
and we've had a little part.
In serving Him who loves us
for I am very sure it's true.
That in serving those around us
We serve and please him, too.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

In Your Footsteps

I'm walking in your footsteps
You see I've lost my way.
The path we walked together
Is now the only one I take

You left me at the crossroads
When heaven called you home.
By retracing the path we travelled
Makes me feel I'm not alone.

Each day is a lonely journey
Since losing my best friend.
And now our paths can never cross
But like a fool I still pretend.

~ John Read

My Footprints

Someday I'll jump through puddles
take a stroll or run a race.
Someday I'll walk across the street
or maybe walk in space.
Someday I'll scale a mountain
or I'll join a ballet corps.
Someday I'll walk a tightrope
or explore the ocean floor.
Someday these feet will do some things
that only heaven knows,
but for today they are happy
just to wiggle all their toes.

Footprints Poem: Walk a Little Slower, Daddy

"Walk a little slower, Daddy"
Said a little child so small.
"I'm following in your footsteps
And I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they are hard to see;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy
For you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up
You are what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who will want to follow me

And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you."

Footprints of Love

Soft beams of moonlight
Snow covered hills.
A brilliant blue sky
And memories of daffodils.

A mockingbird's song
An owl in flight.
These little things
Bring such delight.

The love of a good man
The fire on the hearth.
Falling raindrops
On the tender earth.

A mountain tinged purple
A calm blue sea.
Acorns falling
From a mighty oak tree.

The smell of smoke rising
From chimneys on high.
Making its way
To clouds in the sky.

And stars shining brightly
From heaven above.
Leave on my heart
Their footprints of love.

~ Grace E. Bayne

A life of love
is a life well lived,
and we are the lucky ones
who got the chance to share this.
You may be an outlaw
but you made it into everyone's hearts
and not one of us
will be the same for it.
Everything with a smile,
a kiss, and a hug.
We cherish it all,
for better or worse.
By chance we are a family,
by choice we are friends.
Hearts entwined we find strength
to face all life's challenges.
Hand in hand we step forward
knowing we leave footprints in the sand.

Footprints

The first imprint of Spirit
As it lights upon the earth;

A walk upon a sunset beach
with child-like joy and mirth.

The steps we resolutely take
despite the trail behind;

Our mark upon eternity
in the precious sands of time.
~ Lori Gosselin

Walking with Grandpa

I like to walk with Grandpa,
His steps are short like mine,
He doesn't say "Now hurry up",
He always takes his time.

I like to walk with Grandpa,
his eyes see things like mine do,
Wee pebbles bright, a funny cloud,
Half hidden drops of dew.

Most people have to hurry,
They do not stop and see,
I'm glad that God made Grandpa,
Unrushed and young like me!

Footprints in the Sand Song Lyrics

People hand in hand
Future in the plan
Promises we make
Sometimes fade away
Like footprints in the sand

Love's a game of chance
I've come to understand
What my greatest fear is
Someday you'll disappear
Like footprints in the sand

But life was meant to live
And love was meant to give
No-one ever said
That you could depend
On whispers to the wind

Love's a game of chance
I've come to understand
What my greatest fear is
Someday you'll disappear
Like footprints in the sand

So I will build my castle on the sea
And pray that you'll come back to me
And there I'll wait faithfully
For your return, your return

Love's a game of chance
I've grown to understand
Hope will keep you near
She will reappear
Like footprints in the sand
In the sand, in the sand

~ George Benson

Tiny Footprints

These are my footprints,
so perfect and so small.
These tiny footprints
never touched the ground at all.
Not one tiny footprint,
for now I have wings.
These tiny footprints were meant
for other things.
You will hear my tiny footprints,
in the patter of the rain.
Gentle drops like angels tears,
of joy and not from pain.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in each butterflies' lazy dance.
I'll let you know I'm with you,
if you just give me that chance.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in the rustle of the leaves.
I will whisper names into the wind,
and call each one that grieves.
Most of all, these tiny footprints
are found on Mommy and Daddy's hearts.
Cause even though I'm gone now,
We'll never truly part.

Footprints in the Snow

One white and wintry Christmas Eve
in a village, long ago,
A young child took a journey,
leaving footprints in the snow.
Clutched within her tiny hand
she carried a small tattered heart,
Fashioned from some scraps of cloth,
wrapped in the charm of childlike art.

A manger scene of wood and straw
was the child's destination.
Her only Christmas wish,
to join Christ's birthday celebration.
She placed her precious handmade gift
upon the straw with care,
And before she turned to leave,
whispered a simple prayer.

The villagers who stood nearby
recall that night with awe,
Retelling every detail
of the miracle they saw...
A second set of footprints
appeared next to the girl's own.
They seemed to walk right by her side,
to see her safely home.

But there's no mystery in the presence
of this unseen Friend -
For once God's touched your heart,
you'll never walk alone again.

Footprint Quotes

May the footprints we leave behind show that we've walked in kindness toward the Earth and every living thing.

Leave footprints of love and kindness wherever you go.

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us everyday.

A little sand between the toes always takes away the woes.

There are no stumbling blocks in life... just stepping stones in disguise.

Life's not about the steps you've taken but the footprints you've left behind.

Kill nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but pictures, keep nothing but memories.

No matter where you go in life or if we are far apart, a mother's love will always follow because you left footprints on her heart.

You can find the footprints of God wherever there is beauty, virtue, humility, justice, truth, love and peace. ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.
~ Anonymous

Footprints in the sands of time are never made by sitting down.

I promise you I'm always there when your heart is filled with sorrow and despair.
I'll carry you when you need a friend. You'll find my footprints in the sand
.

While it is well enough to leave footprints in the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction. ~ James Branch Cabell

Even the smallest of feet have the power to leave everlasting footprints upon the world.
~ Lisa Clarke

The footprints we leave behind, symbolizes our history, our experiences filled with joy, laughter - and even out disappointments, anguish and our hurts. ~ Yvonne Wilson

As you walk through the valley of the unknown you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you. ~ Charles Stanley

Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Footprints Recommended Sites:-

Footprints Foundation for Children in Zambia
- The footprint foundation provides support to vulnerable children in Zambia.

Footprints in the Sand Poster- a selection of ten great footprints posters

Christian Free Posters
- Get your Free Bible Verse Posters Slideshow and Screensaver, you can also view our Christian Free Stuff Link Directory.

Inspirational Poems - poems to inspire you

Baby Footprint Poetry - poems about baby's footprints

 

 

Original Footprints Poem

original footprints in the sand poem