Ash Wednesday: A Time to Reflect, Renew, and Return

Ash Wednesday has always been one of those days that makes me pause. It’s not flashy. There are no grand celebrations, no festive gatherings, no feasts. Instead, it is quiet, humbling, and deeply personal—a day marked by the simple yet powerful act of receiving ashes on the forehead, a visible reminder of our mortality and our need for renewal.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Those words hit differently each year, depending on where I am in life. Some years, they feel like a gentle nudge, a call to slow down and realign my priorities. Other years, they feel heavier, a stark reminder of how fleeting time is and how easy it is to get lost in the chaos of everyday life. This year, they serve as both—a call to pause and reflect, and a reminder that the life we live, the choices we make, and the way we show up in the world truly matter.

Lent is not about punishment or deprivation. It is about returning—returning to faith, to grace, to the quiet presence of God that is always there, even when we are too distracted to notice. It is about letting go—of old habits, of unnecessary burdens, of the things that keep us from being fully present. It is about renewal—not just in what we give up, but in what we choose to embrace.

Too often, we think of Lent as a season of restriction—giving up coffee, sweets, social media, or whatever habit we’ve clung to a little too tightly. And while sacrifice can be meaningful, maybe this season is calling for something deeper. Maybe this Lent is asking me not just to subtract things from my life, but to add more of what truly matters—more stillness, more grace, more kindness, more moments of being fully present.

I find myself wondering, What do I truly need to let go of? Maybe it’s not just a bad habit, but a pattern of thinking. Maybe it’s the weight of expectations, the need for control, or the fear of not measuring up. Maybe it’s the tendency to fill every moment with noise, rather than embracing silence and reflection.

Ash Wednesday reminds me that life is fragile, and yet, that is not something to fear—it is something to cherish. We are given this time, this one precious life, to use with purpose and intention. Too often, I find myself rushing through the days, focused on what’s next rather than appreciating what is right in front of me. This season is an opportunity to slow down, to be more intentional with my words and actions, and to remember that I am not defined by my productivity or achievements, but by how I choose to love and live.

This season of Lent is not about being perfect—it’s about being present. It’s about recognizing that I don’t have to have all the answers, that I don’t have to carry everything alone, and that there is beauty in surrender. It’s about creating space—for faith, for grace, for a deeper connection to God and to others.

So as I begin this journey, I ask myself: Where am I being called to return? What parts of my life need renewal? What burdens do I need to lay down? These are not questions I expect to answer overnight, but ones I will carry with me in the coming weeks.

Maybe this Lent, instead of just giving something up, I will focus on giving in—giving in to grace, to trust, to the quiet moments where I can simply be still and know that I am enough, just as I am.

As I step into this season, I choose to embrace it with gratitude, humility, and hope. May we all find the strength to return, to renew, and to rest in the grace that never runs out.