We are halfway through lent and some of us may be feeling a deeper sense of closeness with God our Creator having chosen to follow Jesus into the wilderness; others may be struggling with their Lenten observance, especially if it has meant ‘giving up’ something which they have usually relied on to keep them going during the tough times, the trying times, the tired times: a cup of coffee, glass of wine, chunk of chocolate? Oh go on then…. oops! For some the ritual of Ash Wednesday, the marking of the beginning of the season with the humbling act of having the ash from last year’s palm crosses smeared across your forehead may seem months ago, not just weeks. Or perhaps those words ‘From dust you have come from dust you will return’ have been haunting you.

‘Thank you for all your inspiration and input today.’

Lent, so far, has been a time of blessing for me. I have opted for the soft touch and chosen not to fast from food or drink whereas in other years I have really gone for it. I am continuing to work out how to realign my circadian rhythm with nature’s and as the days get longer and the mornings earlier I am naturally finding a little more time to pray before the day kicks off and the rest of the household awakes.

‘It was lovely to join you online yesterday and I used the Ashes to Ashes prayer at Forest  Church today, so thank you for that.’

The real blessings though, have been in the time spent with others as I have led them through the guided meditations of my lent retreat Ashes to Ashes. I wrote the retreat for Lent 2022 and haven’t revisited it since; as such the words written back then had been forgotten to me and have surprised me as I have read them through to myself as I proof read for the ‘in a Box’ version, and out loud to those who have joined me online, in person at Fullerton Mill, or on the parish day at Eversley.

‘It was lovely to have you lead us so insightfully and sensitively. Thank you for coming.’

The guided meditations take us through the Bible, beginning with the joy and delight of humanity being made by God from the dust of the earth, to Job despairing in sackcloth and ashes at the desolation of his entire life, to Jesus confronting the devil in the parched and baron wilderness. I was taken by the tenderness of God’s hands personally shaping the first human being and giving it the kiss of life, and also by Jesus’ great determination to bring humanity home to Eden.

‘It was so good to hear the positive comments from everyone as they left. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.’

We often think of lent as a time of loss, of deep, and possibly even painful, soul searching and repentance. This year I have found joy in the being known and loved by God who seeks to draw us closer to the heartbeat of the Divine.

‘Thank you for this opportunity and ‘permission’ to take time away from writing the next ‘thing’…it is really good to reflect upon God’s tenderness and loving gaze.’

We are halfway through Lent: this Sunday is Mothering Sunday, or Refreshment Sunday. Whatever Lenten observances we have undertaken, this weekend we are given permission to lighten the load a little, to remember that even though we have ‘come from dust’ it is the same dust of creation which also formed the stars, and that is something to be celebrated.

The Lent retreats have now finished for 2024, however Ashes to Ashes:Retreat in a Box is still available to purchase for £25 (including postage). Retreat in a Box contains everything you need to create your own retreat: guided meditations, reflection cards, mindfulness activity, prayer sheet, journal and pencil, scented candle, selection of beverages and a tasty treat, and a pocket sized gift to take home to remind you of your encounter with God. Send me a message if you would like to place an order.