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.”
​

There are different claims of authorship for this poem.
This version was written by Mary Stevenson in 1939.
I have read that on May 3, 1997, proof of authenticity was given to Mary Stevenson for this poem.