"Remember, You Are Dust (Cake)!"

OK, so try not to wince with the reminder that Lent begins 3 weeks from today!  We just so happened to have a spontaneous conversation about it over cake, yes, cake!

It all started around the letter D for Dirt Dust, as I played with our little Pre-K gal to make Dirt Dust Cake.  
Yep it was messy but don't be afraid...Be Not Afraid to get a bit messy because...That's just the point!  We are all messy sinners when left to our own devices.  It's only with God's help that we are clean again.
This was a nice activity to do prior to Ash Wednesday since the date itself is a day of sacrifice. (No cake:)

As we all crumbled up the messy "Dust" Cake, we talked about how it reminded us of Ash Wednesday and the words of the priest when he places the ashes on our foreheads: 

"Remember, you are dust, and unto dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

  It was a tangible reminder that God made us out of dust (a lifeless existence) and someday we all return to dust until we are (hopefully) raised again by Christ on the last day. The hopeful part is where the ashes come in as they remind us to turn away from our dirt (sin) and get right (clean) with God!

*Only God can bless our dirty mess*

So why not make Dust Cake and have Conversation?
My kids loved it!

 *I posted the easy recipe details over at Catholic Cuisine*

Just A Few Fun Tidbits about Ash Wednesday To Share With Kids:

• People have been using ashes as a sign of repentance since Old Testament times. Look it up! (Daniel 9:3-6)
• Since Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent for Catholics, it's a time for us to stop and reflect upon our own walk with God and where we might have gotten off track.  For many of us, the ashes are an outward expression (and reminder) of our broken nature and the deep necessity for reconciliation (repentance) in order to be whole again.  

•  Lent  is a Latin term for "Spring" to highlight our "rebirth" in Christ. 
• For over 1200 years, faithful followers have received ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. 
• Remember those palm fronds from Palm Sunday last year? They were saved to be burned for this year's ashes.  They are burned, incensed, and blessed with holy water, using prayers that are thousands of years old.

And the best part...

Well, you know!

"Christ does not force our will, He takes only what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees we give ourselves entirely to Him."~St. Teresa of Avila~

[The Catholic Toolbox also has some good Ash Wednesday Resources for kids]