Ashes and Oil

Today I am marked with ashes.Not as a sign of weakness.Not as a symbol of shame.But as a reminder.From dust I came.To dust I will return.And everything in between belongs to God.Ash Wednesday feels like a quiet surrender.A holy reset.A divine interruption to my distractions.I have been praying for new things.New doors.New levels.New fruit.But today, God whispered:“Are you prepared to carry what you’re asking Me to birth?”Because birthing requires discipline.Birthing requires fasting.Birthing requires pruning.And sometimes what feels like emptiness…Is actually preparation.