Life in the gray

A woman came into our Sunday School class sometime in the 1970s with a book titled, Out of the Gray into the Black and White. The book was a response to the post-modern concept of “no absolutes.” She wanted the absolute. She wanted the assurance that all would be stable and predictable. She especially wanted answers that agreed with what she thought.

The events of 1970 were raucous. Apollo 12 excitement. The Beatles broke up. America was in the final years of the Viet Nam War. The Mei Lei incident happened.

The truth is, every age and stage of life has its drama, worry, and danger. Navigating stressful times is something we work to manage daily.

One of the things that helps, is learning to live the both/ands of life. It’s called binary living – no sexual insinuation here. We live holding two different ideas, ideologies, faiths with no judgment slamming down on one another. The dynamic tension of binary living gives room for breathing, listening, learning new things. We don’t beat each other up with words, or worse. We hold all things for consideration.

The gray is where possibility, ideas and hope live. From a holy text that says, “All things are possible with God,” who am I to question and doubt? The gray bends but does not break.

It is akin to good parenting that gives a long leash to a child as he is taught right from wrong. Touching a hot stove is a rite of passage, as we learn to make decisions for ourselves. Failure can be a good teacher. Read the biography of Walt Disney.

All things do not fit nicely into little boxes. Some things are messy. Like learning to cook. A lot of eggshells end up in scrambled eggs. Toast burns. That’s just the way it goes.

Life in the Trump era has become binary in deciding who is “in” and who is “out.” A lot of America today is out. For this administration, any person or institution – like the press – that criticizes or makes fun of Donald Trump is an enemy.

An incident at our little home on a gravel road in Pamlico County illustrates my point. We were in the back yard playing fetch with our Boykins. A low-slung black sedan drove past us doing at least 30 mph. When told to slow down, they were insolent in their disregard of the signs posted declaring, “Speed Limit 10mph. Small Children and dogs playing.” Disregard of law and civility to neighbor is part and parcel of our Trump problem. Everyone with a grievance feels license to do whatever they want to do. To hell with law and protocol and civility.

Stephen Colbert has been taken off CBS because Trump wanted him gone. His exit will not be his end, however. Every person on the planet who has an Internet connection and an iPhone can record anything they want to. Trump cannot shut everybody up.

Now that Trump is flailing, he will have increasingly less influence on any stage. People are worn out and ready to move on from him.

The good news is that neither JD Vance not Marco Rubio has enough charisma to pick up the MAGA vote. JD is smart; he is not likable. Marco… that’s all I need to say.

The time of Trump will end, maybe not in a bang, but in a whimper.

Democrats are chomping at the bit. David Jolly, James Talirico, Gretchen Whitmer, Josh Shapiro are desirable candidates for 2028. Roy Cooper in North Carolina needs our support and our vote.

We have more capacity to make change than you might think. Resistance is working and tides are turning. Hang on. It may be a rough ride but it’s gonna be something to see!

Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com