Mama Monday #40

 

"At times I have had mixed feelings about Ash Wednesday, for the sense of guilt that can sometimes be associated with it. Particularly the words spoken over me as the ashes were placed on my forehead: “from dust you came, and to dust you shall return.” At various times in my past I’ve been part of church contexts where the implication of those words was that I should be humbled by my own insignificance, to not think too highly of myself because I was no better than dirt due to the weight of my sin.

More recently I’ve adopted a different view of these words, “from dust you came, and to dust you shall return.” I now see them not as an admonition directed at myself, but rather as a testament to the creativity and love of a God who sees infinite potential in the most meager of materials. This phrase spoken over us is an encouragement to remember our own uniqueness and beauty as people created in God’s image; to trust that God’s creative work is still at work within us, shaping us into something greater yet if we are willing to soften ourselves beneath God’s hands.

God, grant us the humility to let go of our prejudices, hardness, and pride as we re-orient ourselves toward Jesus these next 40 days. Help us to see the potential of your transformative work in ourselves and our world this Lenten season."

- Jeff Fisher (one of the worship leaders at our church) 

From dust you come (line down); To dust you will return (line across); Come full circle in the Love of God (circle around the cross).