GOD’S LENT CHILD - [a poem]

I’ll lend, you for a little while, A child of mine, God said---

For you to love the while he lives, and mourn for when he’s dead  

It may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three

But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for Me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief

You’ll have all your memories, as a solace for your grief

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return

But there are lessons taught below, I want this child to learn  

I’ve looked this whole world over, in my search for teachers true

And from the things that crowd life’s lane, I have chosen YOU

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain

Nor hate me when I come, to take this lent child back again

I fancied that I heard them say, Dear God - Thy   will   be   done

For all the joys Thy child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run

We will shelter him with tenderness; we’ll love him while we may

And for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay

But should Thy Angels call for him, much sooner than we’ve planned

We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

[Unknown author]