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I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine,"  He said.

For you to love - while she lives

And mourn for when she's dead.

It may be six or seven years

Or twenty-two or three,

But will you, till I call her back,

Take care of her for Me?

She'll bring her smiles to gladden you,

And should this stay be brief

You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,

Since all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught down there

I want this child to learn.

I've looked this world over

In search for teachers true,

And from the throngs that crowd

Life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love,

Nor count the labour vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call to

Take her back again?"

I fancied that I heard then say,

"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,

For all the joy Thy child shall bring,

The risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness,

We'll love her while we may,

And for the happiness we've known

Forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for her

Much sooner than we've planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes

And try to understand."