Ash Wednesday

The ashes, the ashes, wash over me

They remind me of vanity, self-centeredness, greed

They remind me that Your grace is all that I need.

I need to remember from whence I came

That’s why the ashes come to cleanse me again.

You call me turn back, away from my path

To follow you closely and never look back

On my selfish pursuits, but follow Your way

Which always brings suffering through which I gain

A freedom so light, a freedom from pain.

I need to remember from whence I came,

That’s why the ashes come to cleanse me again.

Sadness engulfs me, but it’s infused with joy

There are lessons I can only learn in this way

I need to learn humbleness down on my knees

I need to learn following without complaint

And know—really know—of your great love for me.

I need to remember from whence I came

That’s why the ashes come to cleanse me again.

Hidden Garden

Morning in my secret garden

Where growing, humming things

Sing songs of praise and worship

To creation’s loving source

I listen and I wonder

Who is this walking here?

Who tends and plants and weeds and loves

What grows behind the walls?

The deep recesses glisten

Rare jewels caught up as dew

The tender shoots, the latent buds

Hide safely in plain sight

I need the eyes of wonder

To realize what joy

Is held in crucibles forged smooth

To receive envisaged life

Surreptitiously he strolls

The master gardener smiles

The hidden, secret garden swells

In response to his sunshine.

I catch a fleeting glimpse

Of his expanding joy and pride

At his handiwork of love

Planted in my heart.