A Liturgy for When the House Feels Too Full of Children

O God who creates order from chaos,
help me now.

O Jesus who gathered into Your arms
all the children You could hold,
draw me close.

O Spirit who makes us like children
so we may approach our Heavenly Father,
do so now.

Redirect my eyes from the trampled pillows and cracker crumbs,
to the shining eyes and insatiable grins,
to the eternal and beloved souls
that dance within these growing bodies,
to the hunger behind their eyes

for hugs
for acknowledgement
for compassion
for love and laughter.

You, also, were a child once.
A boy with skinned knees, a growling belly,
a need for snuggles and snacks.
As was I.

O God of unfathomable joy,
untwist the cords that bind my heart
to chores and neatness and solemnity;

for now, let me delight in play.

Thank you, O creative and delighting God,
for the gift of childhood.

You, O Lord, who created such ridiculous things
as the platypus
and the proboscis monkey,
surely delight in drawings and pretend,
in sprawling blanket forts
and sidewalk chalk smeared on bare legs.

Unbend the corners of my mouth, O God of laughter!
Unclench the fingers of my hands, O generous King!
Undo the stiffness of my legs, O Spirit of dancing!

May the unquenchable joy of children at play,
loud and infinitely holy,
be a song of praise unto You, O Lord;
and may I sing it, too

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Millie Sweeny

Millie is a former writing tutor who now spends most of her time driving to soccer practice or folding laundry, but can also be found kneading dough in the kitchen or reading in a corner.

Originally from South Carolina, she lives in Corvallis, Oregon with her husband and two kids, and occasionally writes for The Rabbit Room. She can be found at instagram.com/millie.sweeny.

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