Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 10, 2016
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A new Lenten discipline for a friend and me this year is painting a daily medallion daily until Easter. Today the art spiral begins at the outer fringe:

46 days of remembering:
40 days of Lent plus Sundays

A palm frond in the fire and a smudged cross

I walk a few miles down the hill in the morning, meeting a friend for brunch and a heart-to-heart exchange. We visit the children's section of the bookstore to look for illustrators: she has authored children's books that our granddaughter just loves.

Melissa and their kids come for a visit - what a privilege to enjoy their company.

Later, the kids are watching me start to paint. My big mug of tea slips back and off the desk as the kids lean forward on the front of the art book. Oops, a splashed half-litre of yellow-brown douses the white drapes, floor, desk, books, and ... whatever else is in the way. I send the kids upstairs like a good Oma and mop up what I can.

Ah, hurry! Snatch the books, paints, monitor, computer off the deska. Get those curtains off the rod. That means, get a chair. Stand tall. Unscrew the rod. Strip off the fabric rings. Dripping tea, run to the washing machine. Too late - faint tea dye has done its job. Ah well.

In the evening, there's an Ash Wednesday service at Inglewood Presbyterian Church. I come home refreshed and blessed.

Read more:
*We also will serve the Lord, for he is our God. Joshua 24:18 ESV

*[God of power and mysteries] During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king." Daniel 2:19-23 NIV

*Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. 1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

Moravian Prayer: In us, O Lord, you have entrusted a sacred obligation. To us you have shown the great mysteries of your love; in humility you find greatness, in weakness you find strength, in self-giving you find abundance, and in death you find life. May we always be guided by the mystery of your love. Amen.

Click here: Lenten Blog: Ash Wednesday