WHEN YOU RETURN

When you return, the skies will light up
with a heavenly glow;
The leaves and flowers will stretch
and bloom, and grow.
When you return, our home will throb
with joy so sweet,
While all of nature nods
and smiles knowingly,
For you are home;
Our world's once more complete!

How dark the day, how fierce the storm
was pounding in our valley,
The day you turned your back
to walk alone.
Our lonely hearts were racked
with pain and turmoil;
Each one responding with
a fearsome cloud,
Each one so like reflections
of your own!

Will you return?  Will you take
that place that's kept for you?
Will you return, and your first love
once more renew?
We are waiting -- the Christ, the church,
the needy world;
And wife and children
wait with aching hearts for you.
Will you return right now,
that vacant spot to fill?

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest."      (Matthew 11:28)

       "O loving and kind God, have mercy.  Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions.  Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt.  Let me be pure again. 
       For I admit my shameful deed--it haunts me day and night...... Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. 
Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.  And after You have punished me, give me back my joy again.  Don't keep looking at my sins--erase them from your sight. 
       Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.....
Restore to me again the joy of Your salvation
and make me willing to obey You.            (from Psalm 52 LBT)