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

Ah!.....the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

As I sat there I felt the Lords presence with me

       

He asked me,  "Do you love Me"? 

 

I answered, "  Of course, God!  You are my Lord and Savior!"

 

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 would not be able to do.  Then I thought about the things

I take for granted. 

I answered,  "It would be tough Lord, 

but I would still love You."

 

Then the Lord asked,  "If you were blind,

would you still love My creations?"

 

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 creations.

So I answered,  "It's hard to think of it Lord,

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 could not talk,

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

 

With courage and a strong conviction,  I answered bodily,

"Yes Lord!  I love You because You are the one

and only 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 more earnestly?"

 

I had no answers.....only tears.

 

The Lord continued.  "Why only sing at fellowship meetings

 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

are closed.  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 Lord, forgive me.  I am unworthy to be

Your child."

 

The Lord answered,  "But My Grace is sufficient, my child."

 

I asked,  "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 leave you nor forsake 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

always, even until the end of the earth, 

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 Lord?"

 

Isaiah 53 plaque

 

...and He s t r e t c h e d  out His arms! and I saw His nail-pierced hands.

I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my personal Savior.

And for the first time,  I truly prayed

 

~Author Unknown~

 

rosiefirst@excite.com

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Last edited by rosie on:  9/27/00     Get your free GeoCities homepage too!