I cried this year during our church’s annual reading of the parable of the prodigal son. It wasn’t subtle either! I literally burst into tears! This poem is the result of those tears. Glory to God!

A Little Way

Come toward Me a little way, beloved!

Be no more lost, but let Me find you!

It is enough to stand, to start, to turn,

But even if you come on bruised knees bearing a broken heart,

I will meet you without malice,

And I will bid you rise and walk with Me.

Just walk as far as you can, and I will carry you.

I have looked for you with longing, staring hard toward the horizon,

And though you come tear-stained and travel-worn,

I will know you for My own beloved one,

The one whom I have mourned as dead,

But who is alive beyond all hope.

Come as you are, just as you are,

The fine clothes you wore when you left now gone to rags,

Your hair all knotted with straw,

Your shoes all eaten with the dust of the road!

Come, I say, as you are!

I will dress you in Me!

Then you will see your true self at last

As I have always seen you,

And we will walk together in wonder,

Weeping and laughing by turns,

Shouting and singing in a feast of sheer joy!

Thanks for listening to Wonder-woven, a poetry podcast from Reveries and Ramblings! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smfeir.substack.com