Ash Wednesday

Photo by Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash

This morning I had the opportunity to stand in for a pastor-friend and provide “ashes-to-go.” Wearing my robe and stole I stood out on the sidewalk of a neighborhood church so people driving by could stop and receive the sign of the cross on their forehead. I have wondered if this hasty imposition of ashes without the context of worship is meaningful. But in the waiting, outdoors among the traffic of the day, average dailyness became sacred. People stopped in their cars. A few parked and walked up. And as our eyes met, most filled with tears. From dust you have come, to dust you shall return. You belong to God. 

Two expectant women who stopped asked for prayer for their babies. From dust you have come. A middle-aged gentlemen rolled down his window with tears already perched on his lids – he buried his wife yesterday. To dust you shall return. Dust to dust..you belong to God. 

There was no hastiness about the imposition of ashes this morning. The stopping, the asking, the receiving…the moment amid the movement of the day was intentional. And through the day they are marked with a reminder, From dust you have come, to dust you shall return. You belong to God. 

Go with God, beloved. 
in this together…

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The following is an invitation I shared with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dallas where I have the privilege of leading worship the next 6 weeks. The service is live-streamed at 10:30am CST and remains on FaceBook for later viewing. We’d love to have you worship with us!…

When Jesus went into the wilderness after his baptism, I don’t think he knew what to expect there. But I believe he went with intention to more fully understand the connection between his identity and his ministry. Believing in who he was, what was he to live into? 

I don’t know exactly how this season will unfold. But I invite us to go together with intention, letting go of routine ways of accepting our faith narrative to go with Jesus into the wilderness of discovery. I’m a little nervous about it but will have more courage if we go together. I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. See you soon!

Faithfully yours, Amy