A Child of Mine

On occasion, I am reminded of this beautiful poem by Edgar Guest. It is almost always when I hear of a child passing from this world.  And this Easter season, it seems that God has been calling for a new flock of little angels. Each time I am connected (usually through Facebook or the blog-o-sphere) to a family who's mourning the loss of a child, I feel compelled to share this piece with them. Because  I remember the comfort that this poem brought to Jimmy and me, in the form of a reminder that our children are gifts "on loan" from God.

A Child of Mine

"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 charms 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 the child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over
In my search for teacher's true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labor vain
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And 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,
For 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 the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."