When I Stray

When I wander from Your presence, Lord,
And choose a distant, winding road,
When I forget Your gentle voice
And try to bear my heavy load,

You do not turn Your face away,
Nor leave me lost and all alone;
Instead, You watch with patient love,
And wait until I journey home.

Like the father in the story told,
Who watched the horizon every day,
You stand with arms stretched open wide,
Longing for me when I stray.

Though I may stumble, fall, and fail,
Though shame may whisper, “Stay away,”
Your mercy speaks a louder truth:
“My child, come back. I’m here today.”

You never force me to return,
Nor bind my feet to make me stay;
You give me grace to choose Your path
And welcome me when I obey.

The road back home may seem so long,
Yet every step You help me take;
And when I finally reach Your arms,
You celebrate for mercy’s sake.

For Your love is deeper than my sin,
Your kindness greater than my pride;
And when I come back to Your heart,
I find You’ve never left my side.

So when I stray, I will remember
That Your faithfulness remains the same;
For Jesus, You are always waiting,
Calling me softly by my name.

“Come to Me,” I hear You say,
“My child, I love you still today.”
And there I find amazing grace—
The Saviour waiting in His place.

Scripture: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.” — Luke 15:20 (NIV)