"This is Our Tomorrow" (the day before Ash Wednesday)

I realize that I have shared this in years past, but" this is our tomorrow" ... each and every year. Blessings as you prepare for Ash Wednesday and for these 40 days of Lent.   anna

Neglected,

it rests on the corner,

visible to all,

yet ignored by most …

it has been empty

far too long.

This morning,

this day before 

Ash Wednesday,

the front of the building

has been painted 

a brilliant white

and the windows

on each side 

of the entrance door

are now adorned 

with new, royal blue awnings.

Yet the “For Sale” sign

is still posted,

weather-worn

from the years 

of begging 

and pleading

for someone to look…

just look and consider

the property’s value.

If one dares 

to look closer,

beyond the brilliant white paint

and the royal blue awnings,

the other sides 

of the building can be seen.

Three other sides …

a dingy beige

with peeling paint 

and windows broken

by those who think nothing

of doing damage 

to something that is not theirs.

The flat roof

can no longer withstand

the weight of

years of debris

or torrential rains

that only accumulate 

and puddle 

in its flatness.

The property is

overgrown with weeds

and littered by those things

that others have so carelessly

and thoughtlessly

thrown its way.

What are we to think

of an appealing façade

of fresh paint 

and new awnings?

What are we to think 

of neglect 

and damage … 

of brokenness 

and litter …

of weeds 

and debris

and puddles?

Perhaps this is exactly

what we will bring with us

tomorrow … 

on this day we call

Ash Wednesday.

We bring with us

freshly painted facades 

and new awnings,

hoping beyond hope 

that those around us

will not see the 

neglect and damage,

the brokenness and litter,

the weeds and shattered hearts.

The black soot 

marks our façade

with a cross …

and the ash 

falls onto our awnings.

The difficult admission 

that there are

other sides to be seen

are whispered in prayer

and are heard by the One 

who has clearly seen 

all four sides

of each of us.

This is our tomorrow.

Holy God,

we come to you 

in need of repair …

not in part,

but throughout 

our whole being.

Create in us

a newness in our days,

a wholeness and healing through you,

a purpose in your kingdom,

hope in your love

and a pure heart before you.

Amen.

© 2013  anna murdock