Of Tigers, Wedding Rings & Golf Clubs

Thank you Tiger Woods, for releasing the 'genie in the bottle'.  Maybe it's not what you intended but what was in the dark has come to light and your carefully -constructed- media-exploited world has come crashing down. Your frail humanity shines while your media god images tarnishes, foes revel in your downfall, friends turn away and 'lovers' well....Let's just say there's not to much 'love' to be found there...

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I've been listening carefully to comments that people make. Not the media, but 'round the water cooler' Joe Shmoe types. Everyday people. The first thing that comes out is how stupid Tiger Woods was because:

His wife will clean him up, his sponsors will cut him off, he'll never play quailty golf again, he cheated on such a beautiful wife.

What I don't hear is that he was stupid to throw away a heart that loved him, to subject his family to that kind of scrutiny and shame, to debase himself (whether he got caught or not), to think something hollow inside could be filled by something(one) outside.

You see, growing up with a single parent, knowing the half emptiness of it, I feel saddened for the children; they always pay the price right? I know Mrs. Woods will be financially secure, much more so than my mom ever was but will money fix the pain? Maybe it will buy enough alcohol, drugs or therapy, but will it be able to erase the memory of the day she found out? recreate the sacred spaces in heart, mind and body? Tell me Tiger. Your business strategist will attempt damage control; lie low for a couple of years, appear contrite, things will pick up again.  Just ask Kobe Bryant.

But what lessons are you teaching your children: Sign a pre-nup?  Lie often but more importantly lie well? Do unto others before they do unto you? What hopes are you giving them for their future relationships?

Maybe you could justify it in your own mind: She could not cook, she spent too much, she nagged, she was lousy in bed, too thin, too fat, too whatever. If you look for faults in people you'll find many; it's called humanity, it's part and parcel of the person you chose. But you weren't so perfect either, Tiger. Suppose she had done that to you because of your faults?

But now I'm going to say we have to cut Tiger some slack for failing to meet  our expectations as a role model. All I truly know of him, because I don't know him personally, is that he is an extremely gifted golfer so he will still be my role model when it comes to the game of golf. For a role model for abundant life I will have to look another because in reality and unfortunately all kinds of people do it, not just famous people. Joe and Jane Shmoe do it as well; sneaking around, hoping never to get caught, only they don't make the national news, just local gossip.Tiger is not the first nor will he be the last. But guess what? The effect is still the same; hurt, devastation, loss, which equates us right up there with the celebs or brings the celebs down to our level. You choose.

Now I hope he is sorry for what he did and not simply that he got caught. I hope she can forgive him but she'll never forget and in that way she'll always be victimized whether she stays with him or not, finds someone else or not. He'll never forget either; everyday he'll have to look at himself in a mirror. I hope they discover true love for one another through Jesus Christ the Source of all Love.  It is a painful journey ahead of them, the way of the Cross. It's a price that only true love can pay. . Peace.