The Cross in My Forehead (Ash Wednesday Reflection)

A simple reminder to me about who I am.
It tells me that I am dust,
I am nothing on my own and into dust I will return.
This cross reminds me that I deserve to be labelled such --
worn to dust and dirt.
If only for a day
or until the ashes fade,
I carry this label
on my forehead, remembering
WHO I AM -- that I am weak,
fragile and capable of being lost in sin, even in great sin,
and I need to be saved.

The cross of ashes on my forehead...

A simple reminder to me about whose I am.
It reminds me that I am precious,
marked by a God so good, no one could touch me.
I may be nothing on my own but
I can be everything with God.
I carry this mark which tells me that I have the mark of God.
I was made by Him,
I came from Him,
and to Him I shall return.
If only for a day
or until the ashes fade,
I carry this mark on my forehead, remembering
WHOSE I am -- that I am God's,
I belong to Him.

The cross of ashes on my forehead...

A simple reminder to me not only about who I am
and whose I am
but who God is.
He sacrificed a great deal
just to tell me that He loves me
and willing allowed Himself
to labelled like me,
to be humiliated and crucified,
to be disowned by His people.
So that who I am
may precisely be redeemed
and owned by Him.
As the wears on
or at least until the ashes fade,
I carry this sign on my forehead,
remembering WHO GOD IS -- a God who loves,
no matter what it takes.