A Child Loaned
"I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine. " He said
"For you to love the while they live
And mourn for when they're dead
It may be six or seven year
Or twenty-two or three
But will you, till I call them back
Take care of them for Me?
They'll bring their charms to gladden you
And should their stay be brief,
You'll have your lovely memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise they will stay
Since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want the child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over
In my search for teacher's true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give them all your love,
Nor think the labour vain
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take them back again?
I fancied that I heard you say,
"Dear Lord, Your will be done,
For all the joy the child shall bring,
For the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter them with tenderness,
We'll love them while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for them
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."
Anonymous