One of the songs I sometimes choose when I lead music in church is called "He Gave Me Beauty for Ashes". I never thought much about the cinder part, rather leaning into the beauty. 

Last week, I anticipated my shift at the hospital falling on Valentine's Day, and picked up a bunch of generic cards to give to patients. They would appreciate a little attention, especially those with no visitors. But then I was reminded that the day was double booked. It was also Ash Wednesday. I have no real history with the ritual, but since I was the chaplain on duty, it was my responsibility to apply a gray cross to the willing foreheads of Catholics. It was very tender, even intimate, to look into the eyes of a patient, and their family, and recite a passage of scripture. Sometimes I used the one from my own wedding.
 

"I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit will I put within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh." 

The tradition was described for me, that the source of ashes is the burned palms from last year's celebration before Easter. Which sounds like ashes resurrected from joy.

During my shift I got a request for a rosary. I had a momentary concern that I would be expected to know the prayers, but then realized that the recipient could provide that from memory. I headed to the elevator with only a room number to guide me. When I stepped off, I was face to face with a nurse and his elderly charge. 
 

"Which way to room 4124?" I inquired? 

"This is 4124," he smiled, meaning the woman with him. I handed her the rosary, and she thanked me. I never even found out her name for my records, but such an oversight could be forgiven. In its place I was blessed with the small miracle of finding my way so easily in a hospital that still confuses me. 

As I stepped back into the elevator, I sang quietly. 

"He gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness, that we might be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified."