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 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 return;

But the lessons taught in earthly realm

I want this child to learn."

"I've looked the whole world over

In searth of teachers true;

And from the ones that crowd life's lane,

I have chosen you."

"Will you give him all your tender care,

Nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate Me when I come to take

This lent child back again?"

And father then and mother said,

"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.

For joys 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 should Thy angels call for him

Much sooner than we've planned,

We'll brave the grief that comes to us

And try to understand."

Edgar A. Guest

Please be in prayer for my classmates, Stephen & Rita, who lost their youngest son Kyle, only 4 years old, Tuesday night when he wandered off and drowned in their swimming pool.

 

I can not begin to imagine the pain and emptyness they must be feeling. So go hug your babies and thank the Lord for the time that you have with them.

 

A memorial fund has been set up at Hancock Bank for Kyle Michael Farris.