Dust

Dust
by Michelle Stiffler

The proud gather stones,
wait for acknowledgement,
a nod, an answer on which
to build accusation.
When wrongs are exposed,
the only stand is justice,
but Jesus stands His ground
by stooping, tracing His finger
in dust – the substance of us.

In Exodus, God’s finger on stone.
In Daniel, God’s finger on plaster.
In the gospels, Jesus’ finger in dust.
The clarity of one holy finger,
one consistent message:
I am God.
Stones fall one by one,
angry and accused scatter,
like dust.

And I confess, I’m comfortable
here, grace-blown back to
normal life, distanced from
holy fingers that reach for
brokenness and dirty feet,
press garden soil with blood-sweat,
take up the cross, then come
close and lift my chin to truth:
“This is love. Follow me.

Michelle Stiffler is a Trauma Specialist, podcast co-host, sunrise chaser & Barre instructor, as well as wife, mom, and Mimi. Her work has been featured with Fathom, Ruminate, The Redbud Post, Joyful Life, (in)courage, Truly Co, and other publications. She blogs about faith, struggle, and courage at www.onemoretruth.com. Instagram: @onemoretruth