IN MEMORIAM OF

     STEWART LAUBE

   BORN JUNE 19, 1973



Christ Just Lends Them To Us

____________________________



"I'll lend you for a little time

A Child of mine," Christ 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 shall 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 this child to learn.



I looked the wide world over

In my search for teachers true,

But from the throngs that crowd life's lane

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

To take him back again?



I fancied that I heard them say:

"Dear Lord, thy will be done,

For all the joy the child shall 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 shall the angels call for him

Much sooner than we planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes

And try to understand."