Clean Hearts

Today is Ash Wednesday, the official beginning of Lent. The Episcopal service includes these words from Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

The photo shows a detail of a bed quilt I made for a friend many years ago. It’s been so well loved and used, she brought it back recently for a refresh. That’s what our hearts need too. Even the best of hearts—those that have loved well and been used in all the right ways—need a periodic refresh. Hence Lent. Which doesn’t have to be dreadful and dreary. Just think of it as a heart-and-spirit refresh.

I love these words so much that every morning during Lent, I pray them as I get dressed: “Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.”

You may have noticed that "me" became "us." I’m praying for you too. Because we're in this together.