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.

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