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THE HOMEWARD STRETCH

Oh, preacher man, you’ve served Me well,

Snatched many souls from the jaws of hell,

Now tired and weary, and so forlorn,

You curse the day that you were born.

You try so hard, My love to keep,

That love you’ve freely giv’n My sheep;

A love you feel you have to earn,

A love secure for which you yearn.

Stop trying, son, to please Me so,

To hold, so tight to the truths you know;

And just relax in My arms secure,

I’ll not let go, you can be sure.

It’s time to rest alone in Me,

Close your eyes, let your spirit see,

That I have always approved of you,

It’s you I love, not the things you do!

Though you’ve done much that has made Me smile,

And often you’ve walked that extra mile,

These things have gladdened your Father’s heart,

But I still love no more, than I did at the start.

You had My whole love for eternity,

The moment My Son was hung on that tree,

There wasn’t one thing that you could do,

Would make Me start or stop loving you!

My love can cover your doubt or fear,

If only you’ll let Me, draw you, oh so near,

Into My bosom, and into My heart,

Back where you were at the very start.

Come back to the place where we first began,

Become like a child, forget you’re a man,

Crawl into My arms, let love soak away,

The wounds and the sores, that have grown, day by day.

I long, to again, be your haven sure,

To wash you, and cleanse you, in My love so pure;

To feed you and fill you, with pure, fresh hope,

And set you, once more, on the upward slope.

But for now, I would have you, just rest in Me,

Take time from the world, take time to just be,

Come soak in My love, learn to love in return,

Let Me blow on your embers, till your fires once more burn.

Come back to Me child, do not wander away,

Do not let our paths part, at this time of the day,

Draw close to Me son, in the times of your trial,

I know you are hurting, despite your denial.

In Me is your safety, your hope and your strength,

Come walk down My road, don’t think of its length,

Just step in My footprints, when weary you grow,

And My strength will be yours, and My love you will know.

© 8/9/01