Footprints

Footprints

One of the most memorable African American quarterbacks of the 1990s was Randall Cunningham. Cunningham was an amazing athlete. After retiring in 1995, he came out of retirement to lead the Minnesota Vikings from 1997 to 1999. The 1998 season was his finest, as he led the Vikings to a 15–1 record, losing to the Falcons in the NFC Championship game.

I had the privilege of interviewing Cunningham for my radio show. His book Lay It Down: How Letting Go Brings Out Your Best was a large part of our conversation. This book details the process of moving forward after the Cunningham family lost their little boy Christian when he drowned in 2010.

In my interview with Cunningham, I asked him this question: “Your book is a very intimate view into the most horrific day of your life and that of your family, when your son Christian drowned. Tell us, if you would, how your faith enabled you to stand up in the midst of that pain.”

This is what he had to say: “There are a lot of people that know the poem about footprints. Everything was going good and then [God] abandoned me at the difficult point of my life and they’re basically saying I only saw my two footprints walking. And the poem goes on to say, ‘No, that was me carrying you.’ I experienced that.”

Are you grieving? I want to remind you of Jesus’ words. Matthew 5:4 states, “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” This was Cunningham’s testimony, and it was one of the most profound conversations of my life. Are you stuck in your pain? Pick up Randall Cunningham’s book, and allow the Lord to lead you through it. May you be comforted!

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4