I'll lend you for a little time a child of Mine, "He said,
For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
But will you, 'till I call him back, take care of him for Me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn
I've looked the world wide over in My search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes I have selected you.
Nor will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come and call to take him back again?
I fancied that I heard you say: "Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shower him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay,
But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."
