Casting Crowns performs "Prodigal"
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From the title to the lyrics to the hauntingly poignant melody, it seems to define this journey I've been on.  Decide for yourself:

Living on my own; thinking for myself; castles in the sand; temporary wealth.
The walls are falling down, the stones are closing in; tears have filled my eyes, here I am again.

And I’ve held out as long as I can, now I’m letting go and holding out my hand.

Daddy, here I am again, will you take me back tonight?
I went and made the world my friend and it left me high and dry!
I dragged your name back through the mud that you first found me in -
Not worthy to be called your son, is this to be my end?

Daddy here I am!
Here I am again!

Larnelle Harris performs "Were It Not For Grace
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Few songs have ever touched me the way this one does.  I became familiar with it before the really bad years - before prison and before all the pain and loss.  It is now even more appropriate and personal.  Without the wonderful grace the Father provided through His Son, I hate to comtemplate where I would be.  Listen to this clip.  Read these words.  They'll speak to you as well, for we are all in need of that grace and utterly lost without it.

I measured out my days, life carried me along.
In my soul I yearned to follow God but knew I’d never be so strong.
I looked hard at this world to learn how heaven could be gained,
 Just to end where I began, where human effort is all in vain.

Were it not for grace, I can tell you where I’d be,
wandering down some pointless road to nowhere, with my salvation up to me. 
I know how that would go, the battles I would face,
forever running but losing the race were it not for grace.

So here is all my praise. Expressed with all my heart .
Offered to a friend who took my place and ran a course I could not start.
And when he saw in full just how much his love would cost,
He still went the final mile between me and heaven so I would not be lost.

Were it not for grace, I can tell you where I’d be,
wandering down some pointless road to nowhere, with my salvation up to me. 
I know how that would go, the battles I would face,
forever running but losing the race were it not for grace.