Ranger Mom
10-16-2003, 01:32 PM
Everytime I hear about a youngster dying, this poem always comes to mind. It was printed in the memory book at my little nephew's funeral!
God’s Lent Child
“I’ll lend you for a little while
A child of mine,” God said
“for you to cherish while he lives,
And mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be one or two 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 lovely memories
As a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth returns;
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 ones that crowd life’s lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Not think the labor 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 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 angel call for him,
Much sooner than we’ve planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.”
- Author Unknown
God’s Lent Child
“I’ll lend you for a little while
A child of mine,” God said
“for you to cherish while he lives,
And mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be one or two 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 lovely memories
As a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth returns;
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 ones that crowd life’s lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Not think the labor 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 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 angel call for him,
Much sooner than we’ve planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.”
- Author Unknown