This Popular Poem Reminds Us God is Always With Us

He woke from a dream. He’d been walking with God, side by side, down a serene beach. Memories flashed before him, the beach becoming a timeline of his life. 

Passing by happier memories, he noted both his and God’s footprints etched in the sand. But during harder moments of his life, which were many, only one set of footprints was visible. 

With tears in his eyes, he said to God, “I don’t understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.” Calmly, God responded, “When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

This story is a retelling of the beloved poem “Footprints in the Sand.” Although the authorship is contested, it’s one of the best- known poems in the world. 

The message “God’s always with us,” is one we find throughout the Bible. 

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4.

How does knowing God walks the path of liberation with us inform how we design Black liberated futures? 

How do we implement God’s love, abundance, justice, and service into our plans so that ALL Black people can be free?