Today I Kicked Some Ash!!

As a person in full time ministry there are days that just wear you out, are never ending, and cause you to crave every bit of unhealthy food and drink possible.  Brothers and sisters today is one of those days.  Now do not misunderstand me, today has been a great day, a successful day in ministry even, but I am absolutely exhausted and I still have THREE more items on the docket before I can really rest.

You see today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent which precedes Easter when Christians western Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.  Did you follow that?  If not just know it is a day that many Christians celebrate to mark the beginning of Lent, or the day they have to give up their favorite food, activity, or beveridge:)  Ash Wednesday is traditionally celebrated as the day we remember our beginning as dust and our sinful nature as humans which we are then reminded of throughout the Lenten season.  This is "marked" by the imposition of ashes on ones forehead in the shape of a cross.  So now you know why there are people walking around with "something" on their forehead all day.  I like Ash Wednesday!!  Today, however, was especially important.

As a new pastor in town I decided that a good way to get out into the community was by doing "Drive by Ashing" at the corner of two main roads in my small town.  I envisioned something like me standing on the corner in my robe and stole with a sign that read "Got Ashes?"  waving at passersby and when asked what I was doing would then gracefully reach to them, place ashes on their forehead, say something theologically profound and they would in turn ask where I was the pastor and I would see them later that evening at Bible Study and my church sanctuary would then be filled with lots of new faces on Sunday morning.  Well not so much.  You see instead it went a little something like this:

Me on street corner, in drizzling rain, in heavy robe and stole with wind whipping it into my face and freezing at 6:50 AM.  My cleaver sign keeps falling over and after 15 minutes is soaked and laying in three pieces on the by the crossing light post.  The first car pulls up to the light and whizzes right by without even looking.  Then a second, and a third, and a fourth...I look and feel foolish. But then one truck stops and asks what I am doing.  I cheerfully respond and when I ask if the passengers would like to receive ashes I got a resounding "Yeah sure."  As I went toward the vehicle there was no grace involved and I awkwardly stood with one foot on the running board of the F350 and tried to reach inside the cab only to DROP ASHES AND OIL ONTO THE LAP OF THE WOMAN SITTING INSIDE.  After which i murmured, "Umm, from ash we were created and to ash we shall return, repent of your sins and you are forgiven...sorry" They then drove off.

Don't worry it got better.  I became more graceful and some passengers even got out of the vehicle to make it more feasible.  this lasted about 30 minutes and 25 ashings later I was approached by a town police officer who politely asked me to move my operation because it was causing a traffic jam and he was afraid of causing an accident due to the school being less than 100 feet away.  So after 42 minutes of standing in the wind, cold and slight drizzle I picked up my three pieces soggy sign, got into my car, dropped off my robe at the cleaners and went home.

After a quick power nap I emerged to lead Bible Study and have ladies lunch, and I am now preparing for evening Bible Study, "drop-in" Ash Wednesday service and choir practice.  WHEW!!  I'm exhausted, but so blessed to be in ministry.  And for those 25 individuals who received ashes from me this morning maybe one or two will decided to stop by and check out a service at Wesley FUMC this season of Lent, or this year.

So as I prepare to wrap up a very long and ministry filled day I am thankful as I am reminded that the season of Lent calls Christians to take time and remember that while we are all sinners, the good news story is yet to be told and celebrated, in 40 short days.