” I wait for You, my soul waits, for in Your Love I would live.”

From Psalm 130, Psalms for Praying An Invitation to Wholeness

 by Nan C. Merrill

As ashes are placed on my forehead, I remember what they symbolize,

Made from last year’s palms, dried, crumpled, burned and mixed with oil

They offer limited identification with Christ’s suffering on the cross.

The ashes also offer hope of the resurrection and new life to come.    

I seek your presence, O God, in the space between darkness and light.

Guide me, O Eternal One, into deeper transformation with increasing joy, contentment and peace.