Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday and it marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. It feels like it was just December and we were journeying through the season of Advent. Now we find ourselves at the beginning of another journey—this journey will follow Jesus on his way to the cross.

Lent is a season where we might choose to give something up or perhaps, put a practice on. Last year, in preparation for the Lenten devotion I wrote for the church I attend, I did a little research on the season of Lent. I found a wonderfully helpful article that I will link at the bottom of this post. Lent is a time for us to be intentional, to give up something or take on a practice, setting the intention to draw us closer to God.

Lent is traditionally known as a somber and serious season and you might find yourself wonder why I chose the picture above to be my devotion theme. It was taken on a trip that Will and I took to Brookgreen Gardens last year in the height of spring. I am choosing to do something different this year for Lent. I am taking on the practice of intentionally looking for the joy and I felt this picture captured some of the joy I am hoping to find.

The past few years have been incredibly difficult on us all. Collectively we have given up so much. So this year, I chose not to give up but rather take on, take on a practice that I truly believe will draw me closer to God. It is easy for me to look at the world and only see the bad—believe me, I know it exists and am realistic about it. But it can be far too easy for me to sit in the heavy and hard and not get up out of it and move on.

My growing edge, is looking for the joy instead of continually dwelling on the bad. Some of the things that will bring me joy might be considered frivolous by some but I am learning time and time again that God meets us in the heavy and the hard and that God can, does, and will meet me in the frivolous, joyful, lovely things too. I need to remember that joy is also a fruit of the spirit.

So, let us begin this journey to the cross. May we meet our Lord and Savior Jesus in new and surprising ways—perhaps in the spark of joy that comes from glimpsing someone’s silver sparkly shoes, a toddler toddling in the park, their proud mom taking their pictures, or in a large blooming yellow rose.

May God draw near to you as you draw near to God. May joy and love find us all in this season where we could desperately use it.

Peace and Blessings on the Ash Wednesday.

This is the link to the article I found so helpful:

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/give-take-lent/