A Liturgy for: Walking with a Child

Liturgies for the little years

With these weekly “Liturgies for the Little Years,” I seek to give words to the unique experiences of raising young kids in prayer form. My hope is that these liturgies would bring a sense of sacredness and meaning into the ordinary moments of daily life as a parent.

A Liturgy for: Walking with a Child

Step by step, side by side,
and my heart wells in wonder for
the little fingers clasped around mine. 
They pull away and bend low. 
A flower, a critter beckons them close,
and I stop too - 
seek to look through their eyes. 
We sit in the grass 
and rest for a while.
Then they’re off again,
but a little too fast,
and soon enough their arms reach up to ask
Carry me now?
I smile and reach down. 

Oh gentle Savior,
I marvel to think that, 
like a patient parent,
you are not too focused on 
where we are going
to be fully present with me
where I am.
And rather than waiting on heaven’s shore
for me to arrive,
you walk with me
step by step, side by side.