Footprint on the Sea

I have read that William Cowper, like many peopletoday, suffered from times of deep melancholy anddepression. One night when he was in a particularlydark mood of despair, he decided to take his life by jumping into the Thames River. That night the city of London was blanketed with anextremely heavy fog and Mr. Cowper, searching to find the river, lost his way. Stumbling blindlythrough the fog he was dumbfounded when he found himself on the doorstep of his own home. Going to his room he penned the words of the beautiful hymn: God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower."