I hate to admit this, but there have been times in my life when I have strayed from the path I knew I should take. Why? Stubborness? Rebelliousness? Probably. Hard lessons I had to learn. And all the while, Jesus softly and tenderly called to me to return to Him. Have you been ignoring His call?

Softy and Tenderly
Will L. Thompson, 1880

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home,
You who are weary,
Come home;
Earnestly, tenderly,
Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting,
The moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering,
Deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

Oh, for the wonderful
love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned,
He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Come home, come home,
You who are weary,
Come home;
Earnestly, tenderly,
Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!