God's Lent Child - Unknown

'I'll lend you a little while a child of mine,' God said.
'For you to love the while she lives
and mourn for when she's dead.
It may be six or seven years or forty-two or three
But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for Me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you
And should her stay be brief -
You'll have her nicest memories as solace for her 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 the whole world over
In my search for teachers true
And from the things that crowd life's lane
I have chosen you!
Now will you give her all your love
Nor think the labour 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 the 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 thy Angels call for her
much sooner than we planned
we'll brave the grief that comes
and try to understand.