Ash Wednesday: Finding Presence in a Distracted World

What did you do with five minutes of downtime before your phone could offer endless scrolling? This simple question, posed by a friend after discussing "The Anxious Generation," becomes the launching point for a timely Lenten reflection on distraction, fragmentation, and the practice of presence. In this episode, recorded live at our Word & Ashes service, Kristyn Russell explores how constant digital distractions keep us separated from the world around us, the people in front of us, and even our own interior lives—and how that fragmentation feels "kind of yucky." Through the lens of Lent's three traditional practices—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—we discover practical ways to tune out the noise and tune into God's presence. From giving up the morning scroll instead of coffee, to showing extra kindness as a form of charity, this reflection offers a 40-day invitation to reclaim those five-minute pockets of time and rediscover what it means to truly pay attention. Whether you're wondering why otters keep favorite rocks or why God allows hate to exist, this episode challenges you to set aside distractions and be present—to the world, to each other, and to God.

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