ASHES to ASHES

I have grown to like the humbling

of ashes on my forehead.

The chance to speak up in silence

the charcoal cross carved

on my forehead as

my blonde hair caresses.

And to look around

to see who else is saying today

‘ I am God’s child’

And that is the most important thing.

I am not alone.

Neither am I perfect

not yet who God wants me to be. 

But I am loved enough

for Jesus to have died for me.

And that is the most important thing.

More important than this job or friend 

that might be lost because of it.

The voice of darkness

laughs and speaks of wilderness

of an aloneness coming to me 

that will be too harsh to bear.

Of unpopularity, poverty 

and political disenfranchisement.

Satan promises me the opposite  

The accuser says

God has only ever taken things from me.

And yes life seems today more a desert 

than a fecund garden

My husband’s cancer spread now to the bones. 

The clock’s incessant ticking pains me

But there is no aloneness here!

We are but dust and ashes 

embers ready to ignite at 

God’s command.

As we are brought home

To eternal life

Oh Death, where is your sting? 

#Acceptance #Bible #Choices #Faith #God #LENT2026 #Nature Courage through Cancer