We cue up; wait to offer brow for this sacred facepainting. I stand behind Jeffrey, watch as Pastor-friend rubs blackened thumb across fair fore…
when I hear these words.
“From dust you came and to dust you shall return, Jeffrey.”
These words.
And his name.
Terror seizes my heart.
Lump creeps up to throat.
Eyes…eyes begin to see.
We are only flesh and bone.
We are only flesh and bone.
Pastor-friend breathes hope into these dry bones.
Yes. Yes!
There is more to this story. Lent is the journey to the cross—and to the resurrection beyond.
But as we drive through dense night, stars light up other skies…for dark clouds move like mountains in the sky.
And sorrow lingers.
I feel it—heavy--fall over me, weighting down my chest, filling my eyes with these tears.
Such grace.
Such grace.
Such awesome grace.
How does one comprehend such grace?
How does one hold out hands to take this,
this soul-freeing—chain-breaking—death-swallowing—love-inspiring—
God-sized
Grace?
We are only flesh and bone.
From dust we came.
To dust we will return.
But that will not be our final destination.
This journey breaks me…
As it should.
This grace is mine to hold in my hands.
I coddle it close, hold it tenderly.
And wear these ashes on my head.
13 comments:
wonderful post. I have never participated in Ash Wednesday nor Lent. thank you for the glimpse. My heart was heavy to learn about this season and did research on it last week. I understand your words that you painted here. It hurts to know what a price was paid to redeem my soul back to my maker.
God bless you friend, and Praise God that He rose again and made a way for this dying world.
Nite, Deanna
"How does one comprehend such grace?"
How indeed...so thankful for what I can not fully comprehend. It can be so easy to take it for granted. Oh face to face some day!
Such a beautiful post, Laura! You go right to the core, or rather, He speaks to us through you and goes right to the core! No matter how you look at it, I'm thankful to you, and on my knees in thankfulness to Him. Hope you're having a wonderful day. All is well here - thanks for your thoughts... N xx
What joy it is that we do know the "rest of the story"! "from dust we came. To dust we will return. But that will not be our final destination." Amen!
I got ashes on my forehead last night too. I want to keep the mark of what Jesus did for me every day in my heart. We are flesh and bone now but one sweet day.....
Journeying with all the family to the cross. B
And sweet one....to be thankful for answering the call...His call...His chosen one.
Precious and beautiful you are!
Love,
Yolanda
Laura,
Beautiful," This grace is mine to hold in my hands"
Love that! Prayers that those who are so lost and so in need of grace will find it. Keep sharing your beautiful words as God has gifted you to do it to His glory!
He is Good! He is Risen!
Tina
Laura:
This is my first visit to your blog. You obviously have the heart of a poet! I love the way you express yourself and shed light on the truth of God. I will be back for sure.
what marks us on the outside is but for a moment ... the stain within is for eternity. this hand breath we are blazes now ... what fire then!
"This journey breaks me........"
His beautiful grace.....that saved a wretch like me........
Thank you for stirring my appreciation for His wonderful, amazing, and liberating grace!
Love you,
Cheri
So poingnant! Thank you for the beautiful picture of the combination of grace and pain. For grace did not come free to One. Yet grace swallows up death, in spite of all the pain involved. Lots to think about here...
Grace to read your thoughts here, be drawn into Another's great arms of love. Thank you....
Beautiful sentiments!
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