Memento homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulvereni reverteris. genesis 3:19

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Although I was not raised closely in the Lutheran church, as my grandfather would have wanted, yet my mother and father had no interest...Easter, of all "celebrations" has always held a very sacred place in my heart. When I was eleven, my family took a drive to Yarnell Arizona. The seven (i think) stations of the cross are displayed there, in full size statues. It is the shrine of St. Joseph. I was in tears by the time we had looked at all the statues. The power, the emotion of the series of events...Those images, haunted me, (for lack of a better analogy) all of my life. I did not know until much later, why they did so.
I did not know then how badly we all NEED, desire...a saviour.
Understanding just how flawed we all are, how needy, how broken...it DOES NOT matter what we do to fix that. We will remain broken...without the knowledge, the acceptance, and finally the indwelling of Christ in our hearts. There is not one of us more broken than another, better than another...yet G_d loves us so much...that he sacrificed his son...really think about that. Look at your son. Imagine what it would take, to make him a living sacrifice. Now, know what kind of love that is..
Lent reminds me to take a look inside, to slow down, to realize just how imperfect I am, as well as everyone else. It reminds me that my reason for being, is to reach out, to love, to show compassion in the best way that I can..to be there for all those other imperfect souls..to see G-d in each, and every face..and to get on my knees. I am thankful for all of you that have come into my life..that have shared your triumph and your pain, your families, your beautiful children...
and I am oh so thankful, that G-d sacrificed his only son, to save me.......from Myself.

oh, and genesis 3:19 Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.