The Lost Son Returns Poem by Royston Nella

Every day the father longed to see
his lost son come back to the family.
Looking out, his heart would yearn
hoping each day his son would return.

For the son had taken his inheritance
and left without a backward glance.
To spend his great fortune having fun
was the intention of this youngest son.

Wasting his time in riotous revelry,
living a life of sin and much devilry.
Gaining friends through his great wealth
he sang and danced enjoying himself.

But then the time came to his dismay
when his money began to drain away.
Then all his friends left him alone
to cope with life all on his own.

Then a severe famine came his way
and he took a job to survive each day.
Feeding the swine he wanted to fill
his empty stomach with the pig swill.

Cold and miserable and full of dismay
he thought of his family so far away.
"Here I am starving to death, " he said
"Whilst my fathers servants have bread."

So off he went this Prodigal Son,
famished, penniless and all alone.
But the father saw him far away
and ran to meet him on the way.

It brought to the father such delight
to see this great heart warming sight.
For all the time the son had been away
the father looked out for him each day.

"Father I've sinned and don't deserve
to be your son so I've come to serve.
Forgive me and take me on I pray
to be your hired servant from this day."

The father proclaimed "This news was great,
kill the fatted calf, let's celebrate."
"For my son has returned from the dead
clothe him with the best robe, " he said.

But his brother could not understand
the reason why the party was so grand.
"Father I've always been good, " he said
"Why didn't you give me a party instead."

"Son all that I have belongs to you."
"You could have one when you wanted to."
"But this is my son who once was dead,
but has now returned to me, " he said.

This wonderful parable that Jesus told.
Speaks of a man returning to the fold.
I too was just like that prodigal child
so lost and helpless and all beguiled.

Then I went to the cross of the crucified
where Jesus greeted me arms opened wide.
By His shed blood removed my disgrace
and held me in His loving embrace.

Then in the heavens the praises rang
as all the angels rejoiced and sang.
Over a sinner so long by sin enslaved
but by God's grace had now been saved.