Ash Wednesday

This past week, I attended my first Ash Wednesday service. Previously, I was under the impression that Ash Wednesday was for Catholics, and thought nothing of it's meaning or application for me, but then found out my church was holding an Ash Wednesday service, and decided to attend. I was so encouraged.

It is a day to remember. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, people laid palm fronds on the ground, and hailed him as a king. He was their accepted king. Later, those very same people jeered and spat as he hung on a cross as their Savior. We do the same thing.

We also remember Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother. Then as God was punishing him, (and driving him from the land), he begs God for mercy. We do the same thing. We commit murder, we sin in the most atrocious ways, and then ask God for mercy. God was merciful with Cain, he did not allow Cain to be killed in spite of the fact that he had killed his brother. Instead he marked Cain with a sign, so that others would not kill him. This was a gracious act. God was gracious to Cain. We don't know what this mark was, but it was a visible sign that others could see. It was a mark of shame for his deeds, but a mark of grace, because God spared his life.

And so we burn palm fronds, and we put the ashes on our heads, we remember that we deserve death for our sin and should be ashamed, but God is gracious to us and saves us.

Grace so Amazing

I haven't been on in a while. Ty and I have been working a lot, and enduring life in a way that makes you hopeful, and grateful. I have never so desperately needed the faithfulness of God, and He has never been so graciously faithful in my life. We have experienced job loss, several times over, and every trial that comes with that. Trying nothing more than to be obedient to what we feel God has laid before us and everything stands in the way of that- it's overwhelming. Yet, God is faithful. There were times that bills should not have been paid, when God graciously provided. I have cried out to God in desperation multiple times, and He has always answered. I am more amazed by His grace in my life than ever before. I don't deserve salvation. I am a wretched sinner, and I certainly don't deserve for him to be my Rescuer when I fail; yet he has, and does, again and again. He cares and provides, continuously. The Perfect Holy God of the Universe has time for me, cares for me, knows my every need and meets me where I am. Sometimes he allows the struggle so I can grow, and trust, and seek Him, but always, He is there.

He is SO faithful, and SO gracious to me.

Love So Amazing, So Divine... Demands My Soul, My Life, My All