We are eternally beloved, wandering, wayward toddlers....

 

Hasidic Jews practice one of my favorite religious rituals. They carry two slips of paper in their pockets. On one is written:  “I am only ashes and dust.”  The other reads: “For you, the universe was created.”  This is a great practice for the Lenten season, which invites us to right view of ourselves and God.  I daresay even doing this practice for a week during Lent will help balance your self-image, seeing yourself as God does. For to God, we are at once beloved and immature, wandering, wayward toddlers.  

Undoubtedly there are times when we need to heed one or the other of these messages to balance our self-perception. Surely, bold conceit and a poor self-image are two sides of the same coin. On days when pride and arrogance have gotten the best of us, knowing we are made of dust, brings us back to reality. Conversely, when we are feeling dejected and worthless, there is no greater remedy than realizing the fullness of God’s personal and eternal love for us. Lest you think that these are simply opposites, not so. We can believe in the depth of God’s love for us and still suffer from feelings of inadequacy. We are human, we are not God, and although we manifest godlike virtues, perform grace-filled acts of mercy, and give sacrificial love daily for the good of others, we humans are gleaned from the earth’s dirt. The simple truth about us, is that we are fragile, we are mortal and some days this is more prominent in our living. But the complete truth is that everything which is of God, is eternally loved beyond human imagining.

I highly recommend this practice for at least of one the six weeks of Lent. I promise you will know a lot more about yourself and God if you do, and you will no doubt have a greater appreciation for the days you experience your blessedness and unworthiness.