A LOVE STORY

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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!" 

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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, the things that I took 
for granted.
   
And I answered, 
  "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You. " 

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

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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." 
   
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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 heart and soul.  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.
   
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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?"
   
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?"
   
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.  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 I 
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 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? 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.  bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour.  And 
for the first time, I truly prayed. 


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