28th day of Lent

Tiger Woods is returning to Professional Golf on April 8, during the most prestigious golf tournament, “The Masters.” How do I feel about someone who has betrayed his wife, family, and himself with extramarital affairs and now wants to return to his professional and public life? Maybe I’m too much of a pushover, but I say let the man get back to his life and move forward. Where is the grace from those who now have thrown Tiger away because of his moral errors? I don’t understand their incessant anger.

I do understand disappointment that a public figure exemplifies his humanness. I do understand the long journey of rebuilding trust that will have to occur for their marriage to be whole again. I do understand the painful lessons that Tiger must learn through all of this. I do understand. But I don’t understand why some folks want to crucify someone because of their human failings. Let them suffer the consequences of their action, but do I have to be one who piles on the suffering?

I am human. I have never betrayed my wife. I am a public figure (not as public as Tiger by any stretch of any imagination, but I am a public figure). I do know what it is to be disappointed by people and to disappoint people. I do know what it feels like to try and stay healthy when a lot of people want a part of your time, attention, and opinion (again, not as much as Tiger, but I do know some of that feeling). I do know sin. I do know forgiveness. I do know what it feels like for people to pile on you when you’re down. I do know what it feels like for the public not to know or understand your private struggle.

Why is it so hard for people to allow their public heroes some grace? Maybe it is because they have their heroes placed way too high on a pedestal. Maybe it is because they are aware of their own humanness, and they had hopes that someone could be above the fray of humanity. Maybe it is because if they can “slam dunk” someone else, they, at least for awhile, can keep the attention off themselves. Maybe they are jealous of someone who makes so much money and is adored by so many people. And when the object of their jealously falls, it is their chance to cash in their anger.

I say if I’m going to err, I want to err on the side of grace rather than judgment. Jesus died for me. Jesus died for Tiger Woods. Jesus died. That is amazing grace. And I bet it would be a sweet sound to Tiger’s ears right about now. May it be so.