Ash Wednesday

Did you know the ashes used to mark your forehead on Ash Wednesday come from burning the blessed palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. As the words "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return," are spoken, a cross with these ashes is marked on your forehead. What could be a better reminder of the circle of our life and the fact that God blesses us with new purposes for each phase along the way?

As Lent begins, I find myself asking what will be the focus of my reflection this year? What will I add or give up? To be honest, sometimes asking myself these questions seems a bit habitual or even trite. I mean what will really change in my life if I give up chocolate for forty days (obvious benefits to my waistline aside). I feel like I want more out of this experience. How can I make this Lent really have an impact on my heart and on my faith?

This started me thinking. If I'm really committed to NOT taking the easy route of doing what I've always done, I need to slow down and take a good long look in the mirror.

People say the older you get the faster life goes. For this reason, I think we sometimes let life run away with our identities. We often don't realize it until a huge, earth-shattering experience, diagnosis, or event stops us in our tracks. We are left unrecognizable standing shell-shocked amidst the choices we have made while running on autopilot.

To counteract this fast-moving forward momentum, I'm suggesting a little self-imposed pit stop. Perhaps forty-ish days in the Lenten desert would do the trick? Are you game? If so, we start today with a deep breath and a little self-assessment. Begin by thinking about what phase of life you find yourself in right now. Then ask yourself some questions. Here are few ideas to get you started:

What are your habits?
What do you believe?
How do you show those beliefs?
Are you at peace?
How do you treat others?
Do you talk to God?
Are you proud of the person you are today?
Would God be?

Join me in slowing things down this Lenten season. Take a good hard look at who you are, how you behave, and what you believe. Then start thinking about what you can do to make meaningful and lasting changes in your life, your relationships with others, and your friendship with God. The first step is to discover who are you at this phase in your life. Then you will be ready to hear how God is calling you and to figure out how you can answer.