top of page
Search
wlpark7856

The Prodigal Cycle Part III: The Return




"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:7


Father

I watch

I look

I glance

I stare

Out the window

Out the door

Across the street

Everywhere

Waiting

Hoping

Longing

Praying

That one day I’ll spy

The silhouette of your figure

Cresting my horizon.


Son

I craved the world of pleasure

Desired momentary gain

I lived for the rush and the thrill

To live without restraint

Prodigal


I drank down the world’s poison

Sought schemes and compromise

I heard the truth loudly proclaimed

But chose to believe the lies

Prodigal


And I was running, running

Running far from you

Running, running

What else could I do?


I bought the goods

That I was sold

It left me breathless

In a stranglehold

Prodigal


I hope and pray

It’s not too late

To turn around

And change my fate

Prodigal


Running back to you

Running, running

What else can I do?


I’m going back home

Confess my sin

Fall on his mercy

Beg to be taken in


And I’m running, running

Running back to you

Running, running

What else can I do?



Father

Just a glimpse

Just a passing

Just a gander

Just a glance

One moment—nothing

The next

Shadow and substance

Figure and form

Burns its image on my retinas

And my spirit transforms

From mourning and weeping

To overwhelming joy

That lifts me from this place

Makes my feet fly

And I’m running

And racing

And loping

And leaping

Until you I embrace.



Son

Racing out

Pouring out

Rushing all around me

Outpouring

Cascading

Flowing over my soul

Taking me down

Taking me under

Washing me up on its shoals

Purifying my mind

Purging my heart

Making me whole

Forgiveness.


Older Brother

The anger and the pain

I keep bottled up inside

Resentment and bitterness

Constantly abide

I stay here at home

I follow all the rules

I don’t rebel

I don’t play the fool

He runs off

Breaks our family

Breaks his heart

Then he comes waltzing back—

Of course he does—

Here to pillar and plunder some more

After everything he’s used up.

He gets a hearty welcome

While all I get is more work.

He’s nothing but a lair, thief, and a jerk.

I cannot—I will not

Forgive and accept him

There’s no forgetting

The agony of how against us

He did sin.



Father

Friends and neighbors

Come and gather round

Listen to the tale

Of the redeemed.

This son of mine

So far he did roam

Now he’s returned home

Celebrate with me.


Put away all sadness

Let your joy abound

And with all of heaven sing.

Let angels’ voices loudly resound

For this sinner that once was lost

Now is found

Now is found.


Friends and neighbors

Come and gather round

With loud shouts

Proclaim the story of the redeemed.

Lift your voices

Belt out the melody

Set your praises fee

As we proclaim the news greatly.


Put away all sadness

Let your joy abound

And with all of heaven sing.

Let angels’ voices loudly resound

For this sinner that once was lost

Now is found

Now is found.



Epilogue

For o so many people

This story has no happy end

Their profligates don’t turn back

Their hearts forever rend

They keep gazing out the window

They keep looking around the bend

For some prodigals

Never come home again.


Holding on to hope

Is sometimes the bravest thing

You can do

In this moment I am praying

That doubt you will eschew

And you’ll feel His arms surrounding

While His grace sees you through

And maybe in eternity

You’ll see

Your prodigal came home to you.

9 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page