I'll lend you...

"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.
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 charm to gladden you
and should 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 throng that crowds life's lanes
I have selected you."

"Now, will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labour 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 shall bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll love him all we may,
and for the happiness we've known,
forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
much sooner than we'd planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try and understand..."