Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Lent...

Traditionally, the Christian church has observed the seven weeks before Easter as a time of penitence and spiritual self-examination.

Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, derives its name from the ancient practice of marking the foreheads of worshipers with ashes from the unused palm branches of the previous year. Ashes historically have had a dual significance.

First, they are Old Testament symbols of sadness and humility. Second, they are a reminder of our mortality. Each of us faces the inevitability of physical death. Our bodes and material possessions eventually will turn to dust and ashes. This is a reminder that we dare not trust in thing that crumble. But Lent does not leave us on the ash heap. It begins with Ash Wednesday, but ends with Easter. And Easter proclaims that, through Christ, God resurrects us from our dust and ashes, makes us new creatures and brings life out of death!

So this Lent Season I really wanted to refocus on what we have and not lust for what we want. Sometimes I feel the need to have what everyone else has or everything I see on all the great blogs I follow. And as much as I want a cute house and wear nice things, I want to take this time to refocus on the things that are truly important in life, non of which are material things!

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