Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.

"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust."   Words I have spoken alongside grieving families.  Familiar words that now echo through my day after Ash Wednesday Worship.  My colleague Pastor Drew Sperry reminded my heart once again of the sacredness we embody as we place our thumb in the ashes and smudge the sign of the cross on the skin of those we serve.  That moment of humble connection speaks of our human weakness as simple beings and of our human strength as relational beings.  Through it all I have learned that relationships are what make us stronger, they are what blesses our days and give meaning to our memory.  Love and connection last beyond the ashes and the dust.

Relationships - human connection - that is where my treasure is (as Jesus asked yesterday).  During these next 39 days I will pay deep attention to the human connections I make every day.  Paying deep attention means to remember that each interaction is sacred time.  I will work on changing the direction of my mind from the to do list of the day to the holiness of the moment of human connection.

Dear God, transform my heart to be more fully present in each moment.  I pray that my mind will honor the treasure of my heart and be at peace as I settle into the company of another.  Be present, Holy One, as I seek to be love and connection.

We have failed to love our neighbors, their offenses to forgive, have not listened to their troubles, nor have cared just how they live, we are jealous, proud, impatient, loving overmuch our things; may the yielding of our failings be our Lenten offerings.  ~ Sunday's Palms are Wednesday's Ashes