The Ashes of My Old Life
Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021
I received the ashes on my forehead this morning from Father J.’s hand and feel changed already. I am determined to use these computer-less days for praying, spiritual reading, and contemplation.
Today’s Bible verse from my daily verse app is so fitting: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Thank you, God, for letting the mishap of spilling water over my laptop happen during this very quiet period at work, which has made it easy for me to take the whole week off. Please help me and guide me on how to use these blessed off-days wisely and to the fullest extent, instead of wasting time.
I think this was another wakeup call telling me that I need to stop spending so much time online watching YouTube videos and standup comedy when there’s so much I have to do. Please forgive me, Lord, for squandering so many hours and days, and help me do better from now on. Let me use my writing skills in your service, to help bring more people to you!
My phone pings. Another Bible verse coming in via the daily verse app: Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
An instant and spot-on answer to my prayer. That makes me cry so hard. Oh, my Lord and my God, you are so amazing. Please, keep doing what you’re doing and don’t ever leave me. I love you so much. I hope you like hearing from me too—I want us to talk together every day. I vividly remember the time when you and I were so very close; a kind of father-and-little-child relationship that I’ve missed so much over the last two decades. But this time, I can fully focus on you, without all the distractions I experienced the first time around, like the desparate search for my “soulmate.” I’ve also disavowed the occult/New Age and am sticking exclusively to the teachings of the Church and your Word now.
Please let those ashes from this morning be the ashes of my old life.
“You have come from dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Some may find this morbid, but to me it’s a wonderful reminder which things in life are truly important.
All worldly things will ultimately pass away, and I’m old enough to realize that life is fleeting and could end at any moment. There’s nothing we can take with us—except for our faith and the good works and prayers we’ve performed in honor of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.