lent 2023 – day 1 – ash wednesday.

Hi, everyone.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, 40 days (not including Sundays) that we prepare our hearts for Easter.

While the Ash Wednesday service is so meaningful and beautiful – and I hated to miss it – this year, I am still sickly so sitting with other church members for an hour, sniffling and coughing, would not have been the most considerate thing to do. Thankfully, our local Methodist church is actually still offering the drive thru imposition of ashes that many churches began during the lockdown – though this was the first year I have participated. While I had to chuckle a little at drive thru ashes, I was truly appreciative of being able to go.

As always, on Ash Wednesday, however we observe it, with the imposition of the ashes, we are reminded, “From dust you came, to dust you shall return. . . Repent and believe the Gospel.”

As I posted above, this Lenten season, I will be following and sharing the “40 Lent Scriptures to Draw Near to God” each day.

Today’s scripture is so well chosen for the beginning of Lent:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. – James 4:8 (ESV)

Finally, I saw this short YouTube video of Father Mike Schmitz speaking in such a lovely way on the significance of Ash Wednesday and I thought it was just a perfect way to end today’s post. I hope you’ll watch if you have a minute. ❤