Child’s Prayer – Verse 184

Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.

A Place Where Children Are – Verse 185

What kind of place would heaven be with all its streets of gold,
if all the souls, that dwell up there like yours and mine, were old?
How strange would heaven’s music sound when harps begin to ring,
if children were not gathered ‘round to help the angels sing.
The children that God sends to us are only just a loan,
He knows we need their sunshine to make the house a home.
We need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile.
He doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends them for a while.
Sometimes it takes them years to do the work for which they come.
Sometimes in just a month or two our Father calls them home.
I like to think some souls up there bear not one sinful scar.
I love to think of heaven as a place where children are.

God Needed an Angel in Heaven – Verse 192

God needed an angel in heaven
to stand at the Savior’s feet;
His choice must be the rarest
a lily pure and sweet.
He gazed upon the mighty throng
then stopped and picked the best,
our child was His chosen one
with Jesus she’s[he’s] now at rest.

God’s Lent Child – Verse 112

I’ll lend you for a little while, a child of mine God said, for you to love him while he lives, and mourn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven 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 always have his memories as a solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return, but there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn. I’ve looked this whole world over in my search for teachers true, and from the folks that crowd life’s lane. I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love nor think the labour vain, or hate me when I come to take this lent child back again? I fancied that I heard you say, dear Lord Thy will be done, for all the 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 the Angels come for him much sooner than we’ve planned, we’ll have the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

A Child Loaned – Verse 046

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 lovely memories
As solace for your grief.