Ash Wednesday: A Day to Remember and Begin Again

An explanation of Ash Wednesday for Kids (and Adults too)

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in the church calendar year. I’ve been sitting in the vestibule of our church building since early this morning, making the sign of the cross with ashes on foreheads and praying with people on their way to work and school. A little later I get to share about Ash Wednesday with the kids in our childcare. I get to pray with them, make that same Ash cross on their foreheads. Kids have lots of questions, and they are not afraid to ask. I love it. Adults often have the same questions, but don’t ask for whatever reason. So… I thought it would be helpful to share this simple reflection (the same one I’ll share with the kids later) just in case any embarrased-to-ask adults are wondering. 😀 It won’t answer every question, but maybe it will offer permission to keep asking.

“What is that dirt on your forehead?”

Ash Wednesday is a special day. It is the first day of a new season in the church year called Lent—the forty days of getting ready for Easter. It’s a time to slow down, let go of control, release the hard things we carry, pray, and remember how much God loves us.

On Ash Wednesday, some people wear a cross (that looks like a smudge of dirt)on their foreheads. They make the ashes from burned palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday. A pastor or church leader makes a small cross with the ashes and says, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

That might sound strange or sad, but it’s a reminder. The ashes help us remember two things we sometimes forget:

1. Life is a gift—something like dust, easily blown away. Our lives are short. Every day is a gift from God.

2. God’s Love Never Ends–Even when we make mistakes, God is always ready to forgive us and help us start again.

Imagine you have a messy room. You love your room, but sometimes toys, clothes, and papers pile up. It gets hard to find what you need. One day, you stop and clean it all up. You throw away trash, put things where they belong, and there is room to breathe and play again.

Lent is like that for our hearts. It’s a time to clean out the things that make it hard to see and hear God, and remember those two important things—life is a gift and God’s love never ends. Ash Wednesday reminds us that being unkind, not listening, or forgetting to pray is like a messy room with no space to play or spend time with the people who love you. It’s a time to make room for God’s love and kindness.

Some people give up something for Lent, like sweets or screen time, to focus more on God. Others add something good, like praying, helping, or reading Bible stories.

Ash Wednesday reminds us that even though we are sometimes messy (and mess up!), God always welcomes us back with love. It’s a fresh start, a deep breath, a chance to begin again.

And at the end of Lent comes Easter—the biggest reminder that God’s love is forever!