“I’ll lend you for a little while
a child of mine,” he said,
“For you to love while she lives,
and mourn for when she’s dead.”

“It may be three or seven years,
or twenty-two or three . . .
But will you – til 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 lovely memories,
As solace for your grief.

I can not 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 whole world over,
In my search for teachers true ,
And from the throng that crowd life’s lanes
I have selected You.

So will you give her all your love?
Nor think this labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call
And take her back again?

I fancied that I heard you say,
“Dear Lord, Thy Will Be Done!”
For all the joy this child will bring
The risk of grief will run.

“I’ll shelter her with tenderness,
I’ll love her while I may
And for the happiness I've known
Forever, grateful stay . . .

But should the Angels call for her
Much sooner than I planned,
I’ll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand . . .
 

Linda Rivers 1986

The Lord's Poem

by

Linda Rivers