A Message from the Lord "I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine," he said. "For you to love the while she lives, and morn for when she's dead. It may only 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 charms to gladden you and shall her 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 the whole world over in my search for teachers true. And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes I have chosen you. Now will you give her all your love nor think the labour in vain, Nor hate me when I come to call to take her back again" I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear lord thy will be done. For the joy a child will 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 have known, forever-grateful stay. But shall the angels call for her much sooner than we've planned We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.