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Remember when laughter came easy? When joy didn't need a reason? Somewhere along the way, most of us traded imagination for efficiency and forgot how to play. This profound loss isn't just about missing out on fun—it's about missing a sacred pathway to spiritual formation.
When my daughter asked me to pretend to be a baby bunny, I froze. The request seemed trivial, even inconvenient. Yet in that moment of hesitation, I recognized something deeper at stake. She wasn't just asking for my time; she was inviting me into a forgotten posture of lightheartedness and freedom. What followed—my awkward hopping and nose-twitching that sent her into fits of giggles—created a connection between us that felt holy, a moment where heaven brushed against earth.
Theologians and children's spirituality experts have long recognized what most adults forget: play isn't a break from serious work—it might be the work itself. When children were asked what they would say if Jesus appeared at dinner, they didn't ask him to solve problems or answer theological questions. Their responses were beautifully simple: "Will you stay for dinner?" "Will you hunt for bugs with me?" "Will you have a tea party?" They didn't ask Jesus to fix anything—they invited him to play. What if the divine is found not in our striving but in our silliness? What if play is prayer?
This episode opens a new series exploring sacred play as spiritual practice—not as another item on your to-do list but as a gentle return to something your soul already knows. Join me in rediscovering the God who rejoices over us with singing, who delights in our delight, and who never tires of playing. Share your own stories of rediscovered play on Instagram @parentforwardpodcast or visit parentforward.com for resources to help you continue this journey. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these—perhaps it's time we remembered how to enter it.

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