The New Footprints

Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking along a beach together.

For much of the way the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying in pace. But your footprints are in a disorganized stream of zigzags, 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, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends.
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens; yours that once etched the sand next to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His large footprints is the smaller "sand print," safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one; this goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change. The footprint inside the larger footprints seems 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. Zigzags all over the place. Stop...stop. 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 ask "Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags, fits, starts, and so on. I was a Christian, just learning. But you walked on through the storm."
"This is correct," replied the Lord.
"Then, when 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?"
"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 don't know?" He says. "That was when we danced!"

For he will turn your mourning into dancing!!!