A Past Forever New

O Lord, give me my past again
     The way it should have been:
A past that’s free of mortal sin–
     My past that You intend–

One written with Your heaven’s brush
     With beauty all around,
A past that is now green and lush
     Where no dead growth is found–

A past where mem’ries leap for joy,
     And peals of laughter ring–
A past where You my gifts employ
     As we with angels sing,

For in that past are those I love,
     Like morning dew are new;
Together we rejoice above
     As You new life imbue.