There are many views as to the historical record of Ash Wednesday.  I leave that for the historians.  To me, it is a significant day because it marks the beginning of a concentrated focus on Jesus, his life, his death, and his resurrection.  It also begins a special time of repentance and consecration to my Lord thru various activities.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of  Lent (which translates spring) and that's significant this year because it coincides with the Shawn Reidy Calendar for the first day of spring March 1st.  Needless to say I'm almost giddy this morning as I am in Springfield, MO and the weather is so nice that I went outside for my morning prayers. 

Today I wear the ash cross upon my forehead.  It's funny to see people's reaction and wonder as you go through the day.  It is very humbling, but its good for me to do this because it reinforces my devotion to be identified with Christ.  If I am willing to do that with some ash on my head, how much more should I be ready to be identified in public with good works and loving compassion.

Father, thank you for your son Jesus who was not afraid to be identified with me in the most humiliating way... by becoming dust for me.  Today I renew my commitment to you.  I humble myself and become identified with you through obedience. 

snakeskins.  have you ever seen the shed skin of a snake?  sometimes it still maintains the shape and everything... seems kinda nasty, eh?  but on the other hand, it represents something really cool.  snakes have an ability to change, adapt, and grow. in that process they shed their "old skin" so a new skin can form.

in my devotions this morning i thought about shedding skins.  how many times in my life i have shed "the skins" of things and periods in my life: the skin of innocence, the skin of ignorance, the skin of a former attitude or mindset.  i was awakened and realized the world is different than i thought, in that moment part of me died-i shed the skin-i grew-i adapted-and i moved on.  i look back on my journey of life and see skins along the path... and i thank God. 

today i am more sure and more uncertain.  i am older and younger.  i am more dead and more alive.