"God's Lent Child" A Poem



Godā€™s Lent Child

"Iā€™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 heā€™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?

Heā€™ll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief
Youā€™ll always have his memories as a solace in 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.

Iā€™ve looked this whole world over in my search for teachers true
And from the folk that crowd Lifeā€™s lane I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love and not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take this lent child back again?"

I fancy that I heard them say "Dear God, thy will be done."
For all the joys this child will bring the risk of grief weā€™ll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness, weā€™ll love him while we may
And for all the happiness weā€™ve ever known, weā€™ll ever grateful stay.

But should the angels call him much sooner than weā€™d planned
We will brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

~ Author Unknown

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