Standing in the Middle

Amidst the current chaos in our country, I am trying to put my feelings into words. My best attempt is actually an analogy. I picture myself standing in the middle of a virtual battlefield (think of me as a Bit Emoji) waving a white flag. I am by no means surrending what I think and believe; it's more about calling a truce or a cease fire, if only for a little while. I have friends and family, whom I love, in both camps and I think we could all use a pause.

As you might imagine there's a right and left side to the battlefield. Each regiment throws ammuntion in the form of words, images, posts and videos. Everyday their supplies are restocked by mostly biased media and bots and it starts again.

I see a lot pass by me; these weapons of words. Most are so extreme; filled with anger and malice; some are outright lies. Others are weaponized scripture in the name of Jesus, with each side thinking it's the other side that's evil. I want to scream-"Check your source. It's not real; it's generated by AI" or "You're an asshat. #forgiveme You are so (take your pick) cruel, arrogant, ignorant", but no one is listening. I am so tired from dodging and weaving them all in a search for the truth, that some days I don't have the strength to say anything. I just take what's left of my marbles and go home.

If I step too far to the left, I am a baby-killing socialist who has no respect for law enforcement. Step too far to the right and I am fascist, power hungry, Magahead who doesn't believe in taking care of my neighbors or in diversity, equity and inclusion.

The list goes on:

• If I mourn Alex Pretti, then I don't care about the people who were murdered by illegal aliens in our country.

• If I say that I am in favor of illegal violent felons being deported than I'm an ICE lover and I don't support the protestors.

• If I believe that the protestors shouldn't destroy vehicles and/or storm churches or destroy lobbies where they think federal agents are staying, then I support an authoritarian regime.

• If I support the protestors and believe in their right to conceal and carry with a valid permit at a protest in a state where it's legal and I believe 100% that Alex Pretti should not have died at the hands of federal agents, and that the administration shared a blatantly false narrative, then apparently I don't care about the security of our country or understand that it's the Governor and Mayor's fault. #todayspressconference

• Even if I share how very sad I am and post a prayer on my Facebook page, it's seen as virtue signaling. (It's a thing and a wild, derogatory accusation to make against someone just sharing their faith)

Stand in the middle and you're seen as complicit from both sides, who blame each other.

I'm going to stand in the middle anyway and you can think what you want. I will use my voice from here. The issues are not so black and white, despite what people painting with such broad strokes will tell you. Heavens to Betsy, put the paint brush down and educate yourself.

Some days, I do shuffle to the left and some days, I shuffle to the right. Some days I actually change my mind/perspective based on new information I have received. It doesn't mean I'm a hypocrite. It means I'm learning and growing and supporting ideas, policies and people rather than one political party. With God's grace, I'm dancing in these minefields, praying for peace and doing my best to live my favorite verse: "Act justly. Love mercy and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

I can mourn Alex Pretti, Charlie Kirk, Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband John and every person killed by illegal aliens with a violent criminal history. Unfortunately the list goes on and all of us can agree it's too long.

I can call for our administration to be accountable to the truth and to a higher standard in the way they represent our country without being an agitator.

I can support the protesters in their quest for justice and at the same time be concerned for the safety of federal agents, all while praying to sweet Jesus that ICE gets their facts straight instead of racial profiling or deporting people with no criminal records.

I believe what makes America great isn't power; it's people from many nations and tribes. ( Hello, most of us are immigrants. #Jesustoo) I have met so many people since the library I work at started sharing space with Rochester Refugee Resettlement. I am humbled by their courage and strength. I pray for their safety as I make copies of their passports and papers because I sense their fear even though they are here legally. (stay tuned for their stories in future blogs) For the record, I also believe that the illegal immigrants that have been here should get to stay here unless they really do have violent criminal records and, at the same time, I believe we should revisit the security of our borders and the immigration process as a whole. These ideas are not mutually exclusive.

Most importantly, I believe that I really am my brother's keeper. We have more than enough in this country to make sure that everyone has enough. Let's figure it out without calling each other names. We can take better care of each other. (This poem reminds me of Alex Pretti and what his willingness to show compassion cost him when he crossed the street.)

God is with me as I stand in the middle. His Word encourages me every day to follow where He leads and it reminds me that it's really quite simple: "Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself." Let's be clear, lest you think I am holier than thou, I SCREW IT UP ON A DAILY BASIS. Thank goodness His mercies are new every morning.

Just today, we have seen a tiny shuffle towards the middle as both the Governor of Minnesota and Mayor of Minneapolis reported having productive conversations with the President. It's something. Yes, there's still so much work to do. Yes, there will probably be a partial shutdown of the government due to a funding package that includes the Department of Homeland Security bill. (#rewritethatpart) At least we know everyone will be coming to the table and we'll see what they say or scream or whatever.

In the meantime, there's room in the middle. Come shuffle over every now and then! Dance with me and get your steps in! Let's keep talking to each other.