Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and Joel and I have celebrated this holiday together for 52 years. Mostly we just exchange cards, giving thanks for each other, and marveling at how time flies. It is also Ash Wednesday and in our world this is a solomn season, the beginning of Lent. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. For over 35 years Joel uttered those words as he made the sign of a cross on foreheads. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
So this Ash Wednesday we will express joy in our love while remembering with quiet reflection our Savior's suffering and death, and our own mortality. It seems appropriate, really, this combination of joy and sadness. You can find both in what Jesus did for us all. Sadness in the crucifixion, and joy in His resurrection and our salvation.
Spending the last 3 days on the losing side of a battle with a virus I choose not to label, has had me bonding with our sofa. This means Ash Wednesday will probably be spent at home. One of the perks of being married to a pastor is we can have communion anytime we want to, and we do. In the days I was the girl in the bubble, Joel would have a service with me at home...ashes to ashes on my forehead, communion celebrated. In remembrance. It holds special meaning for me. It is part of our culture.
In the midst of all this, the Olympics are on TV and we have been enjoying the events. I loved seeing Chloe Kim win her gold and observing the excitement her family felt. Moving to the US in the 80's and sacrificing so much for their daughter so she could seek out her passion! A Father's love for his child. A Father's love for His children nailed Jesus to a tree. Which brings us back to Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Valentine's Day. Full circle.
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