"I'll lend you for a little while a child of mine",He said
"For you to love the while she live,and mourn for when shes dead. It may only be a week,a month,or two or three,
But will you,until I call her back,take care of her for Me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you,
but should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memory,a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,since all from earth return,
But there's lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd lifes lanes I've selected you.
Now will you give her all your love,nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call,to take her back again?"
I fancied that I heard you say,"Lord Thy will be done,
For all the joy thy child shall bring,the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness,we'll love her while we may,
and for the happiness we've known,forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for her
much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,and try to understand."
Adapted from the poem by Edgar Guest |
