As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are but dust. Psalm 103:13-14
You know how when you hear a word sometimes you think it means something different than what the speaker meant? As the pastor in his "spiritual prayer voice" quoted this verse, the little girl began to squirm and stare at the seat beside her. Then, in the kind of whisper that carries farther than a shout, she said "Mommy, what's Butt Dust?" Pretty much ended THAT service!
It occurred to me that that would be a great name for a great American product. Sadly, some bright entrepreneur beat me to the drawing board. I found a couple of barbecue dry rubs with that name, at least one baby powder, and even a rock band, so no million dollar payday for me. Maybe next time!
Carl Sagan said, "We are made of stardust..." based on the theory (his - not mine) that the stars came first, and all the elements were forged in the heart of stars that then blew up, were scattered and then regathered into planets, peanuts, penguins and people. I suppose that's more romantic (warm fuzzy thinking) than "butt dust" - not nearly as funny, though. I discovered recently that the dust found in most homes (dust "bunnies" - or in some cases more like dust "buffaloes") was found to consist mostly of people. Well, flakes of skin anyway. Reminds me of the kid who had been to a funeral - "For you are dust and to dust you shall return" - and refused to sleep in his room anymore, because "I looked under my bed, and someone's either coming or going!"
I personally prefer a fuller explanation. We really did begin as dust in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7, 3:19), but that's not where we end up: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
So - you who trust in Christ - the next time you feel like "butt dust", remind yourself "I'm not what I ought to be, I'm not what I'm going to be, but thank God I'm not what I was." And any of you who aren't in Him? Butt dust you are, and butt dust you will be!
