from my friend Nancy Lantz

a question and answer

Nancy sent me the following question and she has allowed me to publish it along with my answer. Thank you — appreciated.

I am reflecting on your view of God.  I do not know the God that you are referring to.  That was the God of the Old Testament, revengeful and unforgiving.  I am sorry that you were brought up with that image of God.  

When God sent his only son, Jesus, He changed.

My God is from the New Testament.  He is kind, loving, forgiving and giving of grace when I am not deserving.  He carries me through my deepest sadness and loneliness.  I believe the words of the poem, "Footprints in the Sand", by Mary Stevenson. 

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with
the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In
each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were
two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.

During the low periods of my life I could see only one set of
footprints, so I said, "You promised me, Lord, that you would
walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most,
have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set
of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

My answer:

Yes and this is one of my favorite poems. I was sharing it with a friend the other day. I have a firm belief in Christ but it is the consciousness and Light of who he was along with the Light of so many other great beings that through an act of compassion became human. I believe we all need to develop our inner knowing of the Divine and what it means to us. My aim is to give acceptance and love to all we believe and to know it is all of Divine inspiration and origin.