I took my portion, took my pride, Chased a life beyond Your side, Spent every blessing I could hold, Traded home for dust and gold. Then the lights went out on me, Nothing left but memory, And somewhere underneath my shame, I remembered my Father’s name. I rehearsed the words the whole way home, “I’m not worthy, I have nothing of my own.” But before I could explain Why I came— The Father ran, The Father ran, While I was still a long way off, The Father ran. I came back begging for a place, He came running with embrace, I said, “Make me like a servant,” He said, “You’re still my son.” Put the robe around my shoulders, Put the ring back on my hand, I thought I came home empty— But the Father ran. I thought my failure changed my name, Thought my choices sealed my shame, Thought I’d have to earn somehow What I had thrown away by now. But mercy met me in the road, Love came running for its own, Before the table, before the feast, My father gave me back to me. I was practicing apologies, He was preparing a celebration feast, I came crawling through the dust— He came running out in love. The Father ran, The Father ran, While I was still a long way off, The Father ran. I came back begging for a place, He came running with embrace, I said, “Make me like a servant,” He said, “You’re still my son.” Put the robe around my shoulders, Put the ring back on my hand, I thought I came home empty— But the Father ran. I lost the money— Not my name. I lost my way— Not His love. I left the house— Not His heart. I went too far— Not too far for God. No probation, No negotiation, Grace became my restoration. The robe said family. The ring said son. The feast said welcome home. The Father said, “My child was lost— BUT NOW HE’S HOME!” HOME! HOME! LOVE BROUGHT ME HOME! Not a slave— A SON! Not rejected— CHOSEN! Not forgotten— KNOWN! Love brought me home! The Father ran, The Father ran, I couldn’t earn what love had already planned. I brought Him all my brokenness, He covered me in righteousness, I thought I needed everything restored— He restored who I was. Put the robe around my shoulders, Put the ring back on my hand, When I couldn’t make it back to Him— The Father ran. I was lost… Now I’m found. I was dead… Now I live. I came looking for a servant’s place— And found I was still His child.
