A Smudge of Ash; A New Revelation

No matter what age we are, I believe we can discover new things about ourselves.  New likes.  New interests.  New ideas and thoughts.  I had one such revelation the other day.

We stopped by our local Chick-fil-A to grab a quick bite.  It happened to be Ash Wednesday.  The young lady that took our order had a rather large smudge of something on her forehead.  At first I wanted to save her from embarrassment and point it out, but then I realized the smudge was really ash, and she must have attended a Lent service at her church.

I could feel a large smile cross my face. “I practice Lent too,” I wanted to yell as she filled our drinks.  I wanted to share with her what I was giving up, and to hear her story too. But to save myself from embarrassment, I decided to keep my excitement to myself.

As I walked away from the counter, I felt a tinge of jealousy.  I wanted a smudge of ash on my forehead too.  The symbol it represents holds deep meaning to me.  It represents repentance and turning from sinful ways.  It represents a period of reflection as Easter approaches, and fasting from something that causes distraction in daily life.  A symbol like ash on my forehead would make it more meaningful to me.

My new revelation: I like religious symbols.  I like to wear crosses around my neck or on any other piece of jewelry.  I cherish my Star of David necklace purchased on a recent trip to Israel.  I have a Mezuzah nailed to our front door frame that tucks portions of Deuteronomy 6 inside it.  I like to keep a bottle of anointing oil by my bedside table.  Sometimes, when my husband is traveling, I sleep with my Bible under my pillow.  It makes me feel secure.

I realize that there is nothing supernatural about these items.  They don’t make wishes or prayers come to pass if I hold them tightly.  But the meaning, the symbolism behind them—that is supernatural to me.

Thank you Lord for tangible reminders of my faith in you!

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9