Prodigals

FLEEING FROM YOU

Fleeing from you,

nothing he sees

of Your preceding

as he flees.

Choosing his own path

how could he know

Your hand directs

Where he shall go.

Thinking he's free,

"free at last,"

unaware that Your hand

holds him fast.

Poor prodigal!

seeking a "where"from

"whence,"

how does one escape

Omnipotence?

Waiting for darkness

to hide in night,

not knowing, with You

dark is as light.

                                                                         --Ruth Bell Graham

                                          

"I can never escape from your spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.   I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night--but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.  To you the night shines as bright as day.  Darkness and light are both alike to you."  Psalm 139:7-12   (See also Luke 15)