Calming Meditation

Close your eyes and imagine yourself at the seashore.
Listen to your breath.
Realize that the sound is like that of the ocean coming in to shore and receding from the shore, a constant and peaceful sound.
Imagine yourself in a nice, comfortable hammock on the beach in the warm sun.
You feel the sun’s warm rays upon your body, warming your skin and your bones.
You hear the call of the seagulls as you lay there, warm and peaceful.
When you breathe in, you hear the sound of the ocean waves coming in to shore.
When you breathe out, you hear the waves receding back out to sea.
Breathe normally and let your breath be peaceful, so that the ocean shore you rest upon is peaceful.
With your eyes closed, remember the story of the footprints in the sand, and realize that you are not alone.
Jesus is sitting there next to you at the ocean shore, watching over you and smiling.
Your only task is to rest and be healed.


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.”
by Mary Stevenson ©1984 (from The Official Footprints in the Sand Page)