[Seek] Peace Amidst Sorrow

[Lent 2]

"Remember you are from dust, and to dust you shall return." Pastor imposed an ashen cross on the foreheads of those in line before me. As she formed a cross on the forehead of the woman ahead of me, tears sprang to her eyes. Her voice trembled as she struggled to utter the words, the woman's quite recent diagnosis fresh on her compassionate heart. Consumed by this storm of emotions, she managed to collect herself well enough to move on, emotion still evident in her voice as she swiped ashes onto my forehead. 

There was a brief silence before she continued, her voice calmer, more at peace. A hug from my nineteen year old daughter provided just what she needed in that moment - a few seconds of love, providing peace amidst her sorrow.

How much better would this world be, if we could all see the sorrow in others and weren't afraid reach out to them in love and compassion?