Faith in the Cracks – Allowing God to seep into the cracks in our lives.

Lent is a time in the church – 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays for those who will count calendar days) – when we spend time examining our lives. We are reminded of our mortality, that is why the marking with ashes and we can look at how we can draw nearer to God. For some people Lent means they give something up. This is an old practice in the church. It is about self-discipline. I have known people who gave up or fasted from chocolate, sweets, Coke (soda, pop – depending on your region of the country), as well as other things. I once gave up listening to music in my car. The silence was a new space of pondering, wondering, and praying. Recently, I have known people who add things to life like prayer, scripture reading, or doing an act of kindness a day.

There is a litany about feasting and fasting that I have come to love. You can check it out here.
What I like about it is instead of focusing on guilt and shame, which have often been associated with the Lenten season in the church. Oh I am such a sinner and guilty of whatever. This litany serves as a reminder that as we look at life we can also take on practices and attitudes that are helpful and hopeful.

So yes, this morning, I was marked with ashes and reminded that I am dust and to dust I shall return. But I was also reminded that God loves me so much that I am forgiven of my sin and I don’t have to wallow in it, but I can use this dusty existence to make the world a better place.
So stay dusty friends and remember that you are beloved. Go out and make the world better.