I don’t know about you, but I have wondered at times if I have really made a difference for Jesus in different seasons of my life… if I have truly left footprints on the hearts of those I have loved and served. The Lord spoke to me through an experience recently that I felt in my heart answered this question and confirmed the truth, that yes, when we are abiding in the True Vine, we bear fruit…Fruit that remains.

Here’s what happened: While in the States on leave from Cambodia to rest and heal from surgery, I would frequently visit one of my favorite places: the park. This particular park was like heaven on earth to this nature girl… large fields of thick, velvety, dark green grass and lots of sunshine. Kicking off my shoes, it was not uncommon for me to walk the fields in my bare feet and feel the cool thick carpet of grass underneath.

One day, in particular, I walked up and down the field, and suddenly noticed the unusual phenomenon that I was actually leaving footprints in the grass. You wouldn’t think of grass as holding footprints, but for some reason on this day, it did. Up-and-down, back-and-forth. More and more footprints remained.

After a while, I headed home but returned the next day for my usual barefoot walk. Once again, I was stunned to see my footprints in the grass, only this time from the day before. I did not retrace over my old footprints but created a fresh set alongside the old ones.

I felt the Lord quicken something in my heart: The old footprints represented past seasons of service; for me in particular, previous seasons in Cambodia. Here I was back in the States, and the healing process was taking much longer than I had anticipated. I wrestled at times between allowing the healing to take place versus being back on the field where I felt I was supposed to be. In one moment, through those footprints, the Lord showed me that my previous footprints were still present. The new set of footprints represented my new season, where I would just be adding more to what was already established. This visual brought me great comfort.

This concept was so encouraging to me that I took a picture (included) and later noticed the goalpost. What is the goal? At the end of the day, what is the goal of leaving footprints on the hearts and lives of others?

Love. Love is the goal. To love God and love others.

Be encouraged, friends. Your footprints of representing God’s heart of love remain and new ones are yet to be added. Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” John 15:16

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 5

Written by:  Cathy Cupp
Published on: 4/13/18