Day 1: Ash Wednesday. Who Am I?

Last year I posted everyday to this blog as a meditation and reflection for Lent. It was a deeply spiritual practice and so this year, I will attempt to do it again. I am also going to try to incorporate the Photo a Day idea that the Methodist Church had. Its a powerful, simple way to share our stories and have a collective devotion during these sacred days.

As I reflect on the day and the question Who am I, the imposition of Ashes, the squirmy kids at church, pouring my heart into our business, trying to still be a light and feeling somehow not quite enough at the end of it all. I find God. I am a child of God.

Eddie drove a toy truck down the aisle as we received our ashes. He was overtired and had a short attention span. It was a special moment. Andrew received ashes for the first time. This is his first lent and I was drawn into the journey we will take towards his baptism. It was silent and holy. I was messy and holding two small children. Kneeling on the floor. I looked up and the words "From dust you came and to dust you shall return." For me. For Eddie. For Andrew. Calamity meets Sacred. Life meets Death. Every forehead was marked. This moment meets eternity and I was struck by how God could meet me so simply where I was.

Every Lent with my best ability, I try to meet God and despite all my efforts, God bends low and meets me where I am and draws me into himself. Easter is waiting beyond every Good Friday and I hold on to the promise as I press toward Jerusalem.