Returning Home

You can't return, others say.
You must return. It is the way.

Our Heavenly Father sent us here,
to parents, kind, and family, dear;
to wander on this earthly plain,
until we see that life is vain.

Unless we have the charity
that God has given, unselfishly.
The prodigal in his painful way
Determined that he could not stay.

And, so, went home to hope and prayer.
His father felt he should be there
as they slayed the fatted calf.
His sibling showed his foolish wrath.

For his brother's joy was not his loss.
Forgiveness refines gold from dross.
And family, complete, not family, scattered,
Is joy, profound, and really mattered.

Perhaps our inheritance has been spent
With little show from where it went.
We can renew. We can refresh.
We can endure. We can conquer flesh.
And find, eternal, lasting love
With family, here, and God, above.