Ash Wednesday.

Imposition of Ashes.

Ever, as a child, find yourself playing inside an old, lightening-struck, burned-out, hollowed-out tree?   Did you ever wonder how in the heck did that tree ever survive such a catastrophic event?  The mere fact that the shell continued to grow with bark, branches and leaves amazed me.

Today I think of that tree, you all know the one… the one with the rope and tire swinging from the lowest branch.  That big old maple that sat down at the edge of the field or cow lot; a child’s paradise; the safe haven on a summer afternoon.

I remember taking a running leap at that old tire one day, giving it my all.  I charged at that tire with all my strength thinking that when I made contact it would swing me up.  Up into the sky and oblivion.  Well, that wasn’t meant to be that day.  Perhaps it was wear and tear on the rope.  Perhaps it was me getting older and bigger and nature was telling me to move on to other things.  That rope gave way that day, plunging me face down- smack dab in the dirt.  I remember that feeling of having the wind knocked out of me that day, struggling for each breath, gasping and moaning.

Damn tree.  Damn rope.  Damn tire.  Damn me.

I recovered.  Embarrassed… even if was only God who saw me tumble that day.  That tree on that particular day on the exact day at that very moment.  Lesson learned:  Always check your life line.

It’s now some 40 years later.  I wake up this morning trying to figure out what to give up for Lent.  That’s not going so well.

The Lord has thrown me more than my share of lifelines, many more than I ever deserve.  He has never given up on me.  That rope has never worn thin or frayed.  I have, in my humanness.  But, the Lord?  Never.  Always there to pick me up and dust me off and give be a kick in the pants and breath the breath of life back into these sorry old lungs.

So, today I go out into this world, with an outside shell that continues to grow.  Today I will walk up to that altar and kneel, receive the ashes that represent the Death that Christ died for us.  For our charred, hollowed out interior of sin, darkness and imperfection.

Today begins our 40 days of wandering, traveling with Jesus as he fights the devil and all his evil schemes.  We head out into the desert today, another year, and another journey.  Thank you Father, for mercies received.

Make me a stronger, more compassionate person this year.  Make me more loving and more loveable.  Make me your servant.  Use me, bend me, break me, mold me, burn me… use me for Your Glory.  Amen