“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

Today, we begin the journey of renewal of our baptism, our second birth in Christ Jesus. In doing so, we remember all the pieces of our lives we leave behind, all the moments that have turned to dust so we can turn more profoundly to Jesus.

Remember past loves and know the dust of loss that leads to new love.

Remember regret and all the aspects of life you cannot change from the past, so to learn from your mistakes.  Remember to surrender more deeply into the freedom of God.

Remember the circumstances, the situations and the encounters where you were not your best self. Allow the dust of the past to give rise to hope in you.

Remember the job loss, the panic over not getting things right, the apprehensions, your lack of courage. Remember all is dust and that your true identity is not attached to any of those things.

Remember the innocence of childhood and the good old days. Remember even the good things give way to living in the present.  Stop clinging and start living today.

Remember how you lived, what you thought, what you were convinced of, what you held on to, and remember all these things are now dust so you may grow more deeply into trusting God.

Remember your journey in this life is beautiful, courageous and filled with hope for tomorrow.

Remember the cross on your forehead becomes your key to your heavenly home.