A dense fog rises from the nearby river as the sun sets in the west. Those returning home from work turn on their dim lights to navigate through the haze. By the time they reach their destinations, the eerie fog lifts, revealing beautiful shades of pink streaking across a clearing sky.
While Mother Nature oversees those fog-filled hours, she is not the captain of the moral fog that can envelop the best of us. How many times in our lives have we questioned our moral decisions? Our conscience tells us that what we are doing is wrong, yet we continue to defend ourselves as we attempt to turn wrong into right.
We have now entered a moral fog that obscures our vision and often takes us far away from home. We know deep within our souls that staying in an immoral dilemma yields no rewards and no clear skies.
Most of us are simply tired…tired of watching right and wrong dissolve into explanation. We are weary of truth being continually blurred, softened, or framed in the name of neutrality, politeness, or balance. This absence of clarity diminishes our courage and resolve.
When blame replaces accountability, we remain in the darkness. Our finger-pointing is making our noses look like Pinocchio’s because it seems easier to fabricate a story than to admit defeat.
Where has the phrase “I am sorry” gone? Do we not recall the question our parents would ask: “Now, what do you say?” after we had done something wrong? A corner awaited me if I refused to say those three precious words. “I am sorry” is as important as “I love you.” When we humble ourselves to admit our mistakes and truly mean it, we are expressing love.
Somewhere along the way, politics began redefining moral character. When both sides of the political spectrum fail to display honesty in their pursuit of power, they become so lost in confusion that they can’t find their way to the Capitol!
When we encounter issues in political office or even in our own backyards, we often hear phrases like, “I know this is wrong, but look at this or that.” The reality is, if something is wrong, it remains wrong, regardless of circumstances. Another common excuse is, “Well, look at the good they did!” Yes, but just like when I was a child—eating all my food didn’t excuse the time I threw my spinach on the floor.
Moral fog does not come from disagreement; it comes from the refusal to say when something is wrong. Good character is built on honesty, transparency, bravery, and being true to ourselves.
It’s important for us to be strong enough to confront the truth, both in the political landscape and in our personal lives. We need to put aside conspiracy theories, let go of distrust, and demand facts and legitimacy. When excuses are offered, let’s recall our childhoods and the times we tried to use those familiar lines, like “The dog really ate my homework!” It was tough to convince my parents when we only had a cat.
We must clear the air and start calling a ‘spade a spade,’ as my father used to say. The truth is this: Racism is never acceptable. Neither is gun violence, bullying, lying, stealing, cheating, or simple meanness. These aren’t complicated moral questions, yet we often treat them as if they are. Too often, we step around these truths not because we don’t recognize them, but because we’re not brave enough to say them out loud.
Clarity becomes clearer when we use God as our guide. He is the only one who can judge, forgive our sins, and clear away the fog that clouds our understanding. We must listen to His guidance at our dinner tables and within our society, and our representatives should follow His lead in the halls of our Capitol. No political party has God’s favor; rather, it is individuals who do. He judges us not as a group, but as unique souls. In other words, He resides on each person’s shoulder, guiding us toward blue skies.
It takes a strong backbone to stand tall in character. In the end, that will be what matters for us: did we stand firm for God, or did we falter for human approval? What is right, and what is wrong?
Let the fog lift, and may the light of truth and bravery shine brightly enough to guide us home.
“In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.” Mahatma Gandhi
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Lynn Walker Gendusa began her writing career as a columnist for the LaGrange News. Today, her essays are featured regularly throughout Georgia and Tennessee. Her work also appears in Guidepost, USA Today, The Atlanta Journal, MSN.com, among others. Lynn has authored two books; the latest, “Southern Comfort,” was published in 2022. She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com. For more of her inspirational stories, click here.
