Over the past number of years, it has finally become apparent that You have been keeping me closer than I had thought. In my childish folly, I thought I could remove the pain of my youth by denying you my companionship. Yet I now see that You have been by my side all along. When I was drowning in despair, it was You who gave me a lifeline. When I was lost in the dark, it was You who gave me the light. When I hit the wall of doubt and did not know where to turn, it was You who opened the door. When I slipped on the shaky ground at the rim of hell, it was You who pulled me back.

In my wretched existence without You in my heart, I cursed and abused You. I looked away from Your light, and I was blinded by the myriad distractions of sin. I held my hands over my ears to avoid Your call, and I fell prey to the lies of evil. I slapped Your hand away in arrogance, and I took the fruit of sin and devoured it with smugness. I crossed the world to get away from You, but You were already there; yet I began to talk and act as if I did not recognize You.

Oh, forgive me, Father for I was wrong! I sinned against You and turned my back on Your will. I sought another path to Your door, and became lost along the way. I strayed so far, and now this lamb is tired, weak, cold and alone.

Father, I hear Your Servant, and He tells me my Master is nearby. My heart beats for joy, and I turn around. I am Your lamb, and I hear the Shepherd call my name. Yes, Jesus, I am here! I weep with tears of joy. I jump and bound into the embrace of my Lord and Savior. I am filled with the warmth of His goodness, and the radiance of His grace washes away the filth of my accumulated sins. Praise God, I am found and whole once again!! Hallelujah, I am found!