Each morning after breakfast
Dear father says goodbye,
And tells his boys and girls
He wants them all to try
To be good little children,
And do whatever’s right.
Then adds, — “If nothing happens,
I’m coming back tonight”.
Sometimes the sun is shining
And gentle breezes blow;
Sometimes it’s cold and windy,—
The ground all white with snow.
But rain or shine, dear children,
Your father goes away
To work and earn some money
While you are at your play.
He pays for food and clothing
To keep you well and warm;
For a house with doors and windows,
A shelter from the storm.
And just because he loves you
And likes to see you glad,
He often brings you nice things
Some children never had.
And so each day that passes
Your father kind and true
Is doing all he can to bring
More happiness to you.
And just because he loves you,
With joy your faces light
At the thought that dearest father
Is coming home tonight.
But there’s Another loves you,
And seeks to make you glad,
And that One came to save you.
Because your hearts are bad.
Upon the cross He suffered
And shed His precious blood,
That you might be forgiven
And reconciled to God.
And God the Father wants you
To have a heavenly home,
Where sin and pain and sorrow
Can never, never come.
A place where you’ll be happy
In singing hymns of praise
To Jesus Christ, your Saviour,
Throughout eternal days.
And Christ is now in heaven,—
He’s prepared for us a place,—
For all who know and love Him
And long to see His face.
For there are many mansions
In the Father’s house above,
And there we’ll know the Saviour
In the fullness of His love.
And just as you are happy
When father comes at night,
And often run to meet him
And fill him with delight;
So Jesus’ heart rejoices
When you’re longing for Him, too,
And looking for that moment
When He’ll come back for you.
ML 08/23/1931