Afflictions, Though They Seem Severe

Afflictions, though they seem severe In mercy oft are sent They stopped the prodigal's career And caused him to repent Although he no relenting felt Till he had spent his store His stubborn heart began to melt When famine pinched him sore What have I gained from sin, he said But hunger, shame, and fear My father's house abounds with bread While I am starving here I'll go and tell him all I've done And fall before his face Unworthy to be called his son I'll seek a servant's place His father saw him coming back He saw and ran and smiled And threw the arms around the neck Of his repentant child Father, I've sinned, but oh, forgive Enough! the father said Rejoice, my house, my son's alive For whom I mourned as dead "Now let the fatted calf be slain Go spread the news around My son was dead, but lives again Was lost, but now is found Tis thus the Lord his love reveals To call his children home More than a father's love He feels And bids the needy come