I would delight in nothing better than to be able to give a standing "O" to someone who is a "world class" husband, father & professional. In fact, I'm certain that there are many in that category. We just don't hear about too many of them. Tiger Woods is NOT one of them. It looked like he COULD be, but sadly, not even close. He can change that and I hope he does.
I applaud the man or woman who is not only successful in their career, but in their personal life first and foremost. It is not unrealistic expectation. It used to be more of the norm for our society. Certainly not perfection but there was more of an "honorable" attitude in our population. People had honor and with honor there are certain things that you just don't partake in.
I would be much more likely to cut Tiger some slack if he simply had a lapse in moral judgement. If he had a one night stand (as bad as that is) or didn't ward off the advances of someone who kept coming on to him and finally gave in once or twice. But he repeatedly made a conscious decision over and over again to tread on his marital vows.
He made the decision to do what it took to become the best golfer in the world. He said "No" to the many things which would have taken him off course of that goal and yet the one thing which was more valuable than anything else in world, he didn't value as he should have.
Yes, I still want heroes! Yes, there are still heroes out there! I want to be one of those heroes to my family, my community and the church I am so privileged to pastor. Perfection? Certainly not! Arrogance? I hope never. Transparency? I hope always. The folks in the church I pastor know I am not perfect and they also know how I strive to overcome. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Without that, I ain't got a snowball's chance. Can I fall? Absolutely! Can I fall like Tiger? Certainly! But without a moral compass and without identifying unacceptable things, we are sure to commit them.
I know the struggles of professional athletes. I have talked to them and listened how that the vets are quick to teach the rookies how to party and cheat on their spouses. But there are still those who don't succumb. To them, I rise from my seat, tears in my eyes, for them AND for those who do succumb. But my applause is for those heroes who look the storm in the face, are not perfect, yet who have honor in the fiber of their being. Bravo! Bravo!
I would love to be able to do that for Tiger someday! I pray that it will come to pass. But his performance doesn't warrant that yet. He never got paid for the athlete he had the POTENTIAL to be. He got rewarded for what he accomplished. So, when he does something worth applauding, I'll rise to my feet. However, right now, he's not even close. Hopefully, on the right track. But he needs to be as successful with his family as he is on the course.
High standards? YES! And we should all strive for those standards knowing that we are frail and sinful creatures. But, I refuse to say that because we are all weak and sinful that we shouldn't strive in righteousness. It is a worthy goal and one I can't even come close to without His help. I have a hard enough time WITH His help! But I am not what I used to be. God being my helper, I won't return to that either!
