... on One Wrestler's Relationship with God
In this column, I thought it would be quite fitting to share with my readers the following short anecdote.
This selection (a story related to me a few years ago) expresses the unique relationship between a young wrestler and his relationship with God. I hope it will revitalize your faith in the close association that many athletes have with their Creator.
A WRESTLER HAD A DREAM
One night a very successful wrestler had a dream He dreamed that he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed many scenes from his life. For each vista, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand--one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
After the last scene came into focus before his eyes, the wrestler looked back at the footprints and noticed that in various places along the path, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that this happened during the most difficult matches of his life.
Deeply hurt by this discovery, the wrestler asked, "Jesus, You said that once I decided to follow You, You would walk all the way with me. But I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my mat career, there was only one set of footprints. What I don't understand is why, when I really needed You, did You desert me?"
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you and would never leave you. During those times of athletic trial and physical suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Updated July 11, 1997