What would you say?

"May the One who dwells

in every landscape

divest you of all that hinders

your path into God."

Jan Richardson

On this cold winter day, we prepare to enter into Lent.  Many of us will go to a worship space and receive ashes on our forehead in the shape of a cross.  For some this brings up a history of penance, a time of self denial and over all darkness.  Some who were not brought up in a church that practiced this tradition or any church at all, wonder what we are talking about.  What are we talking about? 

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with our one wild and precious life?" 

Mary Oliver

When we are in relationships with people, real relationships with people, they require time and attention.  We drive to visit, we call when we aren't sure how they are doing, and we tend those emotional ties that connect us.  I don't know about you, but I let way to many of these things slip through my fingers.  Time passes and work, or any number of other things cause me to feel that yet again, I have let time and attention go by the wayside.  Do we let our relationship with God slip also?  Do we spend time or attention there?  

"God is calling you to connection.  God wants us to use our time not just wisely, but sacredly, in order to thrive.  Learning to use our time well, as God intended, does require us to be intentional about how we approach our life, with all it's diverse components. "

SSJE

As we enter this season of Lent, how can we spend time and attention on our relationship with God and our faith?  If someone asks you what this is all about, what will you say?  What does it really mean to you?  What do those ashes on your forehead have to do with your life, God and the world around you?   What will you say?