WANDERERS’ RETURN

Oh, Father, will you give to me the money which is mine,
For I want to travel far away to enjoy life for a time.

His father wished he would stay and listen to advice,
But the son just took the money, because he’d made his choice.

He left his father’s happy home and travelled far away.
He met some bad companions there who persuaded him to stay.

They helped him all his money spend, with habits most unwise,
Until all the money he had brought disappeared before their eyes.

The wicked friends then left the boy, without money, food or clothes,
So lonely, sad and hungry, too, he began to walk the roads.

Eventually he found a farmer, and asked for food to eat.
The farmer said, ‘You feed the pigs, and you can share their wheat.’

Would you enjoy such food to eat as pigs have for their meals,
Well, this is what this sad boy ate. Imagine how he’d feel.

He sat beneath a shady tree, and cried, for he was sad,
‘I’m sorry for my wicked ways, and that I left my Dad.

I will arise and go back home, back to my father dear.
I’ll tell him I’ve repented. I am unworthy, though, I fear.’

He started off, and ran quite fast, back to his well-loved home,
When on the distant road, he saw his father all alone.

His father ran to meet his boy, his arms were open wide.
He threw them around the dear son’s neck, and drew him to his side.

The boy said, ‘Father, I am sorry that I spoiled my life with sin.
The money that you gave I’ve spent. Oh, will you take me in?’

The father then forgave the wrong of his repenting son.
A celebration feast was held, and a new life had begun.

We learn a lesson from this story, as it is written in God’s Word –
That the happiest people are those who trust and obey their living Lord.

Read this story in the Bible – Luke 15: 11-24