Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking along the beach
together.. For much of the way the Lord's footprints go along
steadily, consistently, rarely varying in the pace..

But your prints are in a disorganized stream of zig zags, starts,
stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the
way it seems to go like this. But gradually, your footprints come in
line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus
are walking as true friends..

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens; your
footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master's are now
walking precisely in His steps. Inside His large footprints is the
smaller "sandprint," safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one;
this goes on for many miles..

But gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the
larger footprints seem to grow larger.  Eventually it disappears
altogether. There is only one set of footprints.  They have become
one; again this goes on for a long time..

But then something awful happens.  The second set of footprints is
back.. this time it seems even worse than before. Zig zags all over
the place. Stop...start. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of
prints.. You're amazed and shocked.  But this is the end of your
dream. Now you speak: "Lord, I understand the first scene with the zig
zags, fits, starts, and so on.  I was a new Christian, just learning..
 But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with
You."

"That is correct,: replied the Lord..

"Then, when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was
actually learning to walk in Your steps.  I followed You very
closely.:

"Very good.  You have understood everything so far."

"Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with
Yours.. I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was
becoming more like You in every way."

"Precisely."

"But this is my question, Lord.  Was there a regression or something?
The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the
first."

The Lord smiles, then laughs.  "You didn't know?"  He says.

"That was when we danced."

FOR HE WILL TURN YOUR MOURNING INTO DANCING!!!!!!!