One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the

sunrise. Ah! ... the beauty of God's creation is

beyond description. As I watched, I praised God

for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the

Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you

love me?" I answered, "Of course, God! You are my

Lord and Saviour!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped,

would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and

the rest of my body and wondered how many things I

wouldn't be able to do and thought about the

things that I take for granted. I answered, "It

would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you

still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see

it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the

world and how many of them still loved God and

His creation. So I answered, "It's hard to

think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you

still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I

understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely

using our ears, but our hearts. I

answered, "It would be tough, but I would still

listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you

still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred

to me, God wants us to sing from our very

hearts and souls. It never matters what we

sound like. And praising God is not always with a

song, but when we are persecuted, we give God

praise with our words of thanks. So I

answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I

would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered

boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are

the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but God asked,

"Then why do you sin?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not

perfect."

"Then why in times of peace do you stray the

furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you pray

the earnest?"

I had no answers ... only tears.

The Lord continued. "Why only sing at fellowships and

retreats? Why seek Me only in times of

worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask

things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll

down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me?

Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in

times of persecution, you cry to others when I

offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when

I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw

this gift away. I have blessed you with talents

to serve Me, but you continue to turn away.

I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in

knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were

closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but

your eyes were turned away. I have sent you

servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed

away. I have heard your prayers and I have

answered them all. Do you truly love me?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed

beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say

to this? When my heart had cried out and the

tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me

Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me?

Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, " Because you are My creation. You

are my child. I will never abandon you. When

you cry, I will have compassion and cry with

you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with

you. When you are down, I will encourage you.

When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are

tired, I will carry you. I will be with you

until the end of days, and I will love you

forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have

been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had

done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-

pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ,

my Saviour. And for the first time, I

truly prayed.

~ Author Unknown ~