GOD'S LENT CHILD

GOD'S LENT CHILD





I'll lend you a for a little time
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 twenty-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 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 wide world over
in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lane
I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love,
nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done,"
For all the joy thy child will bring
the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter 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've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.


by Edgar A. Guest



BABY TEARS



We cried tears when we learned that a child would be,

That our God had allowed you to quicken in me.

We cried tears with our loved ones as they shared our joy,

And we thought about names for a girl or a boy.

I cried tears as I thought of the things we would do

All the things that your Daddy would pass on to you.

And I cried as I thought of each inch you had grown,

As I pondered the day that you’d make yourself known.

Then to think of the world you must enter brought fears,

Once again, little loved one, your mother cried tears.

Something’s wrong, I can tell – once again there are tears,

And I’ll not get the chance of your love through the years.

Oh, the ache and the sorrow, and all of the pain

And again, once again, my tears fall like rain.

Then His peace comes to me as I think of you there,

Gently rocking with Father in His favorite chair.

Your sweet little fingers clenched tight in His palm

And His Son softly singing to help you keep calm.

Our God knew your days before you came to be,

And He knew, little one, you wold not stay with me.

So I cry but I know that, when this life is done,

I will greet and embrace you, my sweet little one.

There’s a time to be born and a time do die,

And the joy and the sorrow both make us cry!

by Conni Johnson