********************** * A LOVE STORY * **********************

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond de????ion.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! Youare my Lord and Savior!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you stilllove me?" I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the restof my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do, the thingsthat I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but Iwould still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love mycreation?" How could I love something without being able to see it? ThenI thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them stillloved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but Iwould still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen tomy 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. Ianswered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise MyName?" How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: Godwants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what wesound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we arepersecuted, 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 astrong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord ! I love You because You are theone and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but...God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?" Ianswered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect." "THEN WHY IN TIMESOF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOUPRAY THE EARNEST?"

No answers. Only tears.The Lord continued: "Why only sing at liturgies, fellowships, andretreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things soselfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreadingthe good news? Why in times of persecution, do you cry to others when Ioffer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunitiesto serve in My Name?" I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. Ihave blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. Ihave revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I havespoken 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 idlyby as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answeredthem all."

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?" I could not answer. How could I? I wasembarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this?When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, " Pleaseforgive 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 till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? Howcould 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. Ibowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I trulyprayed.Unknown.