Before I Knocked

Verse 1

I took the long way everywhere

Thought I was going somewhere

With a pocket full of plans and a head full of pride

Said I didn’t need a map

Didn’t think I’d look back

’Til the road got quiet on a cold November night

I spent my money on mistakes

Traded peace for things that break

Kept pretending I was fine when I wasn’t

Built a life I couldn’t hold

Watched it slip right through my hands

And suddenly the past felt like something

Pre-Chorus

I had a speech memorized

For when I finally saw Your face

Every word was an apology

Every line was filled with shame

Chorus

But You met me before I knocked

Saw me coming down the block

Like You’d been standing there waiting all along

I thought I’d have to earn my place

Make a case for all my mistakes

But You were already running when I turned toward home

I was ready for a judgment

You were ready with Your arms open

Yeah, You met me before I knocked

Verse 2

Funny how the things you chase

Start to lose their shine someday

And the dreams that looked so big can feel so small

I was looking for myself

In a hundred different towns

But I only got more lost with every mile

I thought coming back meant proving

I deserved another chance

I didn’t know that mercy

Had a different kind of plan

Chorus

‘Cause You met me before I knocked

Saw me coming down the block

Like You’d been standing there waiting all along

I thought I’d have to earn my place

Make a case for all my mistakes

But You were already running when I turned toward home

I was ready for a judgment

You were ready with Your arms open

Yeah, You met me before I knocked

Yeah, You met me before I knocked

Bridge

And maybe I’ve been gone for years

Maybe I’ve got nothing left

Maybe all I’ve got are scars and stories

But You don’t see the miles I’ve run

You just see Your child come home

Final Chorus

You met me before I knocked

Before I fixed what I had lost

Before I found the words I thought I’d need

I was halfway through my speech

When You reached out and rescued me

I was ready for conditions

You were handing out forgiveness

Yeah, You met me before I knocked

Yeah, You met me before I knocked

And somehow You still called me family