God’s Lent Child. “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 his nicest memories as solace for his 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 the 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 Lord Thy Will Be Done” for all the joys thy child will bring the risk of grief will 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, should thy Angels call for him much sooner than we planned, we’ll brave the grief that comes and try to understand.