A GOOD REMINDER

I woke up about 1:15 this morning. I tried going back to sleep but I couldn't. At 2:30 a.m., I decided to finish my blog, I probably fell asleep after 3:00 a.m., then my alarm went off at 5:30. I felt so exhausted still but I woke the babies up so they can get ready for school. I tried to sleep again but it was for naught.

John and I went to Catholic church for Ash Wednesday service. We got there 5 minutes before 9. They were singing a song. Then the Priest gave his final blessing. The Mass was at 8:00; we thought it was 9:00. We still got the ash on our foreheads. Msgr. Francis did it for us. John commented "that was the shortest service I've ever attended."

When we got home, I cooked coconut shrimp with squash, green beans, eggplant and spinach. Then I fried daing (dried fish) and eggplant with eggs. Those were my Ash Wednesday meal. While I was cooking, I was listening to the Christian radio station. John was singing along to the line "blessed be the name of the Lord." I said "thank you Jesus." He is indeed to be blessed.

I went to work at 1:00 p.m. with the ash on my forehead. Cindy asked "is it Ash Wednesday today?" Elmira, my muslim co-worker tried to clean my forehead, So did Ms. Jackie and Marcel. Elmira was curious what it was. I was busy and so she was and because we worked in separate areas, I was not able to explain to her but I will tomorrow if I see her. God told me I need to explain it in detail to her.

I think people were looking at me strangely when they saw what's on my forehead. Those who asked what it was, I answered with "that's the sign that I am dust and unto dust I will return." Then they knew.

Out of hundreds of people I saw at the store this day, there was only 1 I saw with a similar mark.

Mr. Jerry commented "I knew where you've been" while Georgianne said she used to have them when she was little but she doesn't attend Catholic church anymore.

My friends, I am glad that we have Ash Wednesday as a reminder of what we were made of; and of the love God has bestowed on each and everyone of us. Ash Wednesday signals the start of the Lenten Season, a 40-day preparation of penance and prayer before Easter.

As we all look forward to the joy of Easter, let us take time to remember what brought that joyous, victorious occasion. Before Easter happened, Jesus was tortured, carried the heavy cross, and crucified for our sins. 

In today's reading, be reminded that man sinned which caused our fall from God's grace. Yet, God's love prevails. In the last verse, the Lord God made clothing for Adam and Eve. 

I think it is wonderful that this year, Ash Wednesday falls on the day before valentine, What a great way to remember the author of LOVE this heart's day.

"Father in heaven, we cannot thank you enough for all the love and blessings. As we celebrate valentine's day, may we not forget the greatest love of all - Jesus dying on the cross so we may live. All praise, honor and glory be to you forever and ever. Amen."

Meditation: Genesis 3:17-21

¹⁷ Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
¹⁸ Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
¹⁹ In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”

²⁰ And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

²¹ Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

--that in all things God may be glorified