Wednesday, March 5, 2014

the ashes

today is the day of ashes. today is the day where sins are spoken aloud for the sake of repentance from Dark and a purposeful turning toward Light. today is the day when fingers brush against foreheads and the sign of the cross lays plain in a darkened smudge upon skin. tradition speaks of palm fronds from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration being used to create the ashes. it's cyclical, symbolic if not literally done. 

the ashes are made by His coming. 

this phrase evokes a holy hush within my soul. sins are spoken and forgiveness is sought, and the ashes are smeared in the shape of the instrument that smothered the air from His lungs as His life drained out. for me. and the ashes were made from the waving fronds of the King's entrance into the city. 

when He comes, the Darkness bursts into flame. the blackness becomes Light and redemption is spoken in a voice once whispering but now rising in volume. that is what this season is. it is a whispering start that lifts and intensifies with each passing day. this season is not about what you are giving up, it is not about forty days of enduring life without internet or caffeine or breakfast. 

this day is the calm that settles before the storm. this season is the rumble that comes to alert all who hear that there is a bursting coming, a breaking forth unlike any other. 

so this year, I am pursuing Lent with an air of anticipation. I am leaving shame, expectations, guilt, self-loathing, and scarcity on the skull-shaped hill. I am wearing the ashes on my soul because they are a reminder that darkness is brief and that Water is stronger than dirt. 

this is the day of ashes. this is the day of repentance. this is the day of heads bowed to the floor, ears pressed flat to the earth, listening. this is the day of the whispering.

my Deliverer is coming. 
my Deliver is standing by. 


10 comments:

  1. I love this...my deliver is coming. Amen. And oh so grateful.

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  2. "darkness is brief and Water is stronger than dirt."

    THIS. I am parking here.
    Thank you, lovely friend. Thank you so much.

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  3. Lent, one of my favorite times. The expectation of something so amazing.

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  4. " I am leaving shame, expectations, guilt, self-loathing, and scarcity" - I tend to think I've left those all behind already, but just seeing it in black and white pricks my insides. I know what that means :)

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  5. I am your neighbor at Jennifer's link this week. I'm so glad, because your post is beautiful and such a blessing to read.

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  6. nice...that phrase catches my breath as well...we need always remember that he is coming...and we can let go the things that keep us from remembering that...and live in the expectation of that moment....

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  7. "this season is the rumble that comes to alert all who hear that there is a bursting coming, a breaking forth unlike any other."

    Yes, our Deliverer is coming. Love that rumble...

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  8. Hallelujah the Deliver came and is coming again for us!!! What a joyous post -- AMEN!

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  9. Beautiful.

    And through His wounds, and His victory over death, we are given the power to rise out of the ashes into His glory.

    AMEN!!

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I look at you and see all the ways a soul can bruise, and I wish I could sink my hands into your flesh and light lanterns along your spine so you know there's nothing but light when I see you. :: Shinji Moon