Recently, I built my first fire.  I learned how to stack it, nurture the flame, keep it going.  I also learned about letting the fire smolder out and clearing the ashes.  All the good wood had been burned up and the ash was making it difficult for the fire to function as it should.  After the heat cooled enough, the ash was placed in a bucket and discarded.  This is a good picture of what Lent is.  A time every year in preparation for the new beginning that comes with Easter.  

It begins on Ash Wednesday.  This year Lent starts March 2 and continues until Easter Sunday, April 17.  

It is a reminder to self-examination.  To be able to recognize within ourselves all the good that God has placed there.  But also to see the accumulation of anything that keeps us from being who and how we are meant to be; to determine if we need to clear some ash that is interfering with our ability to love God and so we can do what God wants; to clear away all that is no longer useful; to carry it out and discard it.  

Even if you don’t participate in Lent, taking some time for self-reflection is a good practice.  Examining what we are doing well and what needs to be cleared away—whether it’s in our homes or our hearts—helps us to become the best person we can be.  

I offer a prayer to help you get started: 

We begin once again this holy journey into self.  Perhaps the most frightening of any examination we may ever take.  But we trust you, Lord.  We want to experience Easter.  To be born anew; to grow more like Jesus.  Come to us, Holy Ember, so we can see what is ash to be discarded and what is coal to be rekindled.  Help each of us to rekindle your Light within and share your warmth in this world.  Amen.