Footprints in the Sand

Sometimes it takes looking at the world around you through the eyes of a 4 year old to realize all that God has surrounded you with. We have friends that lives on the beach (yes, even in the midwest you can have a beach) and they are kind enough to to let us "play" there from time to time. So yesterday even though in never made it above 50, my son and I took a moment to enjoy the beauty set out before us.

 Anytime I go to the beach the poem Footprints in the Sand always comes to mind. It is one of the few things I remember vividly being hung in my house when I was a child. I wanted to share it with you here if you have never read it before, I hope you enjoy...

Footprints in the Sand

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 was one only.

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 has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

---

Mary Stevenson, 1936

FRIDAY FEATURES - spring garden

Spring is all about new loves and budding romances. And how can it not with the snow melting and the ground beginning to form new life, giving us new hope and energy. Filling us with new smells and lighting us up from the inside out. Awaking our souls and reminding us that God is still there and waiting for us to find him in everything around us. {If you can't tell, I love spring}. So to kick off my new beginning {another thing spring is know for} here on my blog and my
So I will be finally re-opening my Etsy shop , I want to start featuring other artists that I have begun to love. These artist have amazing shops so make sure to look around at everything they have to offer.

1. Rush of Wings makes these great starter pots out of recycled newspapers. Perfect if you are wanting to start your garden a little early!

2. from Artisan Hands features handmade ceramics and pottery like these great inspirational stakes for your garden.

3. Garden Candy has these wonderful mosaic handled trowels for getting your planting done. Available in several colors.

4. LBs Sewing Sanity makes some wonderful items including this great garden bucket caddy, perfect for keeping your tools and other gardening items organized!

5. Scarlet Beautiful 2 offers those who aren't able to have a live garden of their own an alternative way to enjoy the beauty of spring. Her shop features some amazing photos not just the one featured here. Buy one or more of her shots to create the garden of your dreams, inside!

6. Of course there are some of us that are not born with green thumbs. But Blazing Needles offers cute plant alternatives for your home that need no watering. I love this cactus from her shop, something about it just makes me want to hug it!

7. JMN POTTERY has some great pots perfect for all types of plants for your indoor and outdoor gardens. Hers even feature their own attitudes!

8. Maybe you are looking for a way to recycle, especially with your garden. Take a page from Warm Country Meadows . They offer several different types of Moss Terrariums, including the one above. These are great if you are wanting something green but are terrible about caring for it. These will last for years if you keep them in a well lit area and water them every 2-3 months!

9. Sierra Creations features some wonderful stained glass pieces to help you remember the colors of spring even from your cubical at work. Just light from the back and enjoy!

I hope you find these artists as wonderful as I do, look for another great set NEXT Friday!