Ash Wednesday

For those who so not celebrate Lent and observe Ash Wednesday, you're probably wondering why many people seem to be walking around with 'dirt' on their foreheads.

Thankfully, it isn't dirt. :) It's ash- hence the name, Ash Wednesday. For many Christians, it marks the beginning of Lent. For those who may not know about this season, here's a quick summary.

During a mass or church service, ashes are placed on the forehead of the faithful as a sign of repentance. Traditionally, the ashes used are the burnt remnants from the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday. When you go up to receive the ashes, the priest will say to you on of the following from Scriptures: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel," or "Repent, and hear the good news."

Of course, not every Christian will celebrate Ash Wednesday. If you don't, that's OK. And if you do, that's OK, too. I think we all have different ways of honoring our Lord. What pains me so much in this world is to see Christians against Christians- fighting over semantics and traditions. They're wrong. We're right.

But I truly don't believe that makes our Lord happy- to see his children pit against each other. Christ exercised tolerance in ways that amazed the people He encountered during His years of ministry. Christianity as a whole, is a diverse and inclusive religion. I would hope that we, as Christians, could honor our walk with the Lord by practicing tolerance and love, on this day and every day.

Happy celebrating!

xoxo Y

PS- Don't forget today is the last day to sign up for the Tucker Blair Headband giveaway! I'll announce a lucky winner tomorrow morning, then I'm off to the Riviera Maya! Whoo hoo!