richards odes

Smile

I love the sight, in services, of children milling round

To me it is above all else a most delightful sound.

Sure it may disrupt the calm, which adults like to hear

But surely it should be the cause of Heaven’s biggest cheer.

It may just prick the bubble of the pious and the proud

But I think that I can hear my saviour laugh out loud.

There is a lot that we can learn from every girl and boy

Our feelings for our Saviour should breed unbridled joy.

Why then are we solemn and sometimes slow to smile,

As if to follow Jesus was another weary mile?

Let us all approach God’s house with a merry laugh

For we love to feel the joy of His rod and staff!