➕ Ashes + Candy Hearts: In paradox, love prevails.

🖤 Week 6 Year of Breath (Ash Wednesday + St. Valentine's Day Edition)

The Christian life is one of death unto life, life unto death. When we observe holy days such as Ash Wednesday, we’re reminded year after year of the circular rhythms of life in Christ.

The convergence of St. Valentine's Day with Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) brings a rich layer of reflection to this week.

This week points us to vulnerability:

To love another is to be vulnerable to hurt.

To be human is to be vulnerable to death.

Yeah, we have some emo vibes this week.

But here’s what I’m wondering as we begin Lent this week:

How can we model a vulnerable love that embraces our mortality and the hope of Christ's resurrection?

Borrow this prayer

Help me not hide from my humanity.

Instead, in Your perfect love,

Remind me that I am but dust,

And to dust I will return.

Amen.

This edition of Year of Breath features breath prayers, prompts, prayers, and a playlist to explore the paradox of love and death as we anticipate the beginning of Lent.

Breath Prayers:

INHALE: O God of dirt and dust,

EXHALE: Bring beauty from ashes.

INHALE: Compassionate Christ,

EXHALE: Help me move toward love.

INHALE: In the paradox,

EXHALE: Love prevails.

Reflection Prompts:

How does the juxtaposition of St. Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday this week invite you to reflect on the deeper meanings of love, both earthly and divine?

How might you communicate the paradox of love and death to your children in a way that is age-appropriate and nurturing? What conversations can you have as a family to foster a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of both St. Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday?

How might you balance celebrating your love as a family on St. Valentine's Day with engaging in reflective practices that align with Ash Wednesday?

Scripture

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. // Ecclesiastes 3:20 (NIV)

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other. // John 13:34-35 (MSG)

Playlist

This week’s playlist is a bit longer (around an hour) because I wanted to create a reflective mingling of songs to help us sit in this paradox of life and death on this convergence of Ash Wednesday and St. Valentine’s Day.

As always, you’ll see a mix of “sacred” and “secular” — but as always, I think they’re one and the same.

I hope it speaks to your soul during this week of reflecting on the fragile nature of love and life.

Pray This With Your Kids for St. Valentine’s Day

Jesus, the way You lived in love shows us how to live in love too.

Thank You for showing us how Your lovingkindness changes everything.

Help us to more fully receive that love so we can give it to others.

Protect us from the lie that we should care only for ourselves or those who are like us.

Help us to move in love toward our neighbors and those who look, think, or act differently from us.

Help us to treat others as we want to be treated, for we are all connected.

Help us to move toward others in love.

Keep our hearts tender and our motives pure.

Amen.

From page 145 of Every Season Sacred

Pray This With Your Kids for Ash Wednesday

Dear God, Your great love is a mystery.

We know we don’t have to have all the answers about death and life because You are with us in all things, and You are making all things new.

Help us to have the imagination to think about what it must have been like when You breathed human beings into life from dust—even us!

Help us to remember that we don’t have to be afraid to talk about death with You.

Make our home a safe place to share our wonderings with one another too.

We know that no matter what happens, You won’t leave us.

You are good, and we can trust You.

Be with us when we’re sad, scared, or confused.

We know that You love us so much that You came to earth to be human, too.

We love you, God, and we know You love us infinitely more.

Amen.

From page 168 of Every Season Sacred

Blessing the Dust

All those days
you felt like dust,
like dirt,
as if all you had to do
was turn your face
toward the wind
and be scattered
to the four corners

or swept away
by the smallest breath
as insubstantial—

did you not know
what the Holy One
can do with dust?

This is the day
we freely say
we are scorched.

This is the hour
we are marked
by what has made it
through the burning.

This is the moment
we ask for the blessing
that lives within
the ancient ashes,
that makes its home
inside the soil of
this sacred earth.

So let us be marked
not for sorrow.
And let us be marked
not for shame.
Let us be marked
not for false humility
or for thinking
we are less
than we are

but for claiming
what God can do
within the dust,
within the dirt,
within the stuff
of which the world
is made
and the stars that blaze
in our bones
and the galaxies that spiral
inside the smudge
we bear.

—Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

Further Reading

• “A Prayer for Ash Wednesday” on pages 146-147 of my book To Light Their Way.

• “A Prayer for St. Valentine’s Day” on pages 144-145 of my book To Light Their Way.

• “Circle of Life” chapter on pages 164-168 of my book Every Season Sacred. (Contains a reflection, breath prayer, Scripture, family connection questions, and two family prayers to share.)

• “Moving Toward” chapter on pages 141-145 of my book Every Season Sacred. (Contains a reflection, breath prayer, Scripture, family connection questions, and two family prayers to share.)

• Saint Valentine the Kindhearted: The History and Legends of God's Brave and Loving Servant by Ned Bustard. I had the honor of reading an early copy — here is my endorsement: "Weaving whimsy with history, this book invites kids (and their grownups) to live into rhythms of love as we follow the way of Jesus. From his catchy poems to his thoughtful illustrations, it's clear that Ned Bustard creates with deep care and intention as he points families to the love God has for us―and to the love we are called to share with our neighbor." (Looking for more books? Check out others I’ve endorsed.)

Wallpaper

Benediction:

As St. Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday converge, may you embrace the paradoxical tapestry of love and death as an opportunity for vulnerable growth and connection.

May the duality of these holy days be a reminder of the woven, textured nature of love and loss that accompanies this life of faith.

In the days to come, may you encourage curiosity within your family, allowing children to explore their profound wonderings in the safety of your nourishing, nurturing arms.

And too, may you find for yourself a space for open conversations about life and death, love and loss.

And may all your life — your fantastic, dirty, messy, holy life — be a prayer.

Until Next Time

What question stands out to you?

What prayer do you find yourself turning over in your heart?

Are any of the songs speaking to your soul? Why?

What are your thoughts on Ash Wednesday? On Valentine’s Day?

Consider sharing one of your answers with us in the private comments. As always, I’ll check in on Wednesday in our private chat. I think we’ll have a lot to talk about!

Kayla

Pssst: Invite some friends to join you here for the Lenten journey. Group discounts are available!