Ash Wednesday: the beginning of a historic journey

Lord Jesus Christ, you loved us while we were yet sinners, and have called us to love others, to bring hope to a broken world. Help us each day to be your people and to live lives of uncommon faith and love. You are the Lord forevermore. Amen.

Be Thou My Vision

Ancient Irish hymn, possibly from the 8th Century

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light
Be thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I , Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not nor man's emptly praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven my treasure Thou are
High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O Ruler of all

Recently I have been reflecting (too much probably) on what I should be striving to become. The character, the inner growth is so intangible - it is not something I can work on with time oriented goals and specific outcomes. There are things I am mindful of, but I find myself needing goals and a plan for where I am going. Even if the plan changes along the way, I need a plan. So, here I am with many things up in the air - family, school, business, career....
It is good today to take time - in ashes. I love connecting with history - the lent journey is a historic one, that reaches down through the ages, connecting with the human story of relationship with our Creator. I know I am not the first to travel this road, won't be the last and am not alone along the way. Recognizing my need for connection with my God, my Creator, my Savior. Be my vision, O Ruler of all.