I chose the cover for His Love Carries Me because of the following:
Before our first appointment at MD Anderson, my oldest brother gave Chris and me a special coin to carry in our pockets representing the story “Footprints in the Sand.” This wasn’t a good-luck charm. It was simply a tangible reminder that during the tough times we’d be facing, it might seem like God has abandoned us. During those times, though, His love would be carrying us.
Footprints in the Sand
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 would never leave you. During the times of your trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
— Author Unknown
Footprints in the Sand coins we carried
In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.
—Isaiah 63:9 NASB