Now

Once Upon a Time there lived a little boy

who lived with his FATHER & older brother.

Once Upon a Time there lived a little boy

who became a man

who wanted his independence~

NOW

Once Upon a Time there lived a man

who went to his father

& demanded his inheritance~

NOW.

Once Upon a Time there lived a FATHER

who gave his son what he asked for,

all of it~

NOW.

Once Upon a Time there lived a man

who left home

with his inheritance

skipping down the road

into his next chapter~

NOW.

Once Upon a Time there lived a man

who squandered all of his inheritance.

Once Upon a Time there

NOW

lived a man

who was feeding pigs~

NOW.

Once Upon a Time there lived a man

who didn't like feeding pigs

who remembered what life was like

living with his FATHER & older brother.

Once Upon a Time there lived a man

who was

NOW humbled,

so he traveled

down the road to home.

Once Upon a Time there lived a

FATHER

Who NOW saw his son

walking down the road.

Once Upon a Time there lived a

FATHER

who was filled with compassion

the moment he saw his son

walking towards home.

Once Upon a Time there lived a

FATHER

Who ran down the road

"threw his arms around him and kissed him"*

Once Upon a Time there lived a son

who said,

"FATHER I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son"*

But

Once Upon a Time there lived a

FATHER

Who said to His servants,

"Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.

Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

Let’s have a feast and celebrate" (*Luke 15)

Because

Once Upon a Time there lived a son

who was lost

but

NOW

was found.

because

Once Upon a Time there IS a

FATHER

Who is compassionate

Who is forgiving

Who is full of mercy and grace~

NOW

Because

Once Upon a Time there lived me

who Once Upon a Time was lost

who Once Upon a Time was found

the moment I looked up

to the

FATHER

Who then

immediately came running to me

the moment HE saw me

because

HE is

Compassion

Forgiveness

Mercy & Grace~

Always was & Always is & Always will be

NOW & FOREVER.

Once upon a time there lives ________(put your name)

who

has a

FATHER

who is

Compassion

Forgiveness

Mercy & Grace

Always was & Always is & Always will be

NOW & FOREVER.

Therefore

Come

OUT OF HIDING

to HIM

Who says,

Come out of hiding

You're safe here with ME

There's no need to cover what I already see

You've got your reasons, but I hold your peace You've been on lockdown and I hold the key Cause I loved before you, knew what was love And I saw it all, still I chose the cross

And

You were the one that I was thinking of When I rose from the grave (lyrics from "Out of Hiding", listen & watch below)