The Tiger Woods Front Row

Posted by Mike Foster

I know we could stir up a lot of debate around what happened at Tiger Woods’ press conference. Especially if we discussed whether he meant it, the format, and all the other juicy details that the public seems to be so obsessed with these days.

But we aren’t TMZ or The View who profit from trashing, analyzing, and questioning everything. And we don’t exploit the pain of others.

So here are my simple thoughts.

I unashamedly support Tiger, can’t wait for him to play golf again, and pray that his marriage survives this crisis. I’m 100% in his corner.

What stood out to me on Friday? It was the people sitting in the front row.

His Mom who he hugged right after. A top executive from Nike whose company has refused to bail on him. And one of his best friends, fellow golfer Notah Begay, who has stood by Tiger since his college days.

The front row statement was profound. On the peaks, in the deepest valleys, we stand with our son, friend, and colleague. Let the crap hit the fan, we aren’t going anywhere.

We could all learn a lesson from that.

I have to admit I completely agree with everything he said.

Tiger Woods

I love working at a church that gives second chances and I love serving a God that gives unlimited chances.  With that said I have been asked by several people about my thoughts about the whole Tiger Woods scandal and here are my thoughts.

For me I never elevated Tiger Woods to the status of hero in my life.  I looked up to him as a golfer but never as an individual, why would I?  I never met him and he has never invested into my life personally.  I enjoy his Tiger Woods game and I still do.

“Like many of you I’ve been unable to escape the constant media attention given to the Tiger Woods scandal. Does it seem ironic to anyone else that the media is giving Tiger such a hard time for living out the lifestyle they portray on almost every single television show they air?” Pete Wilson

Could not have said that better.  This lifestyle is around us all the time and I have been reminded how vulnerable anybody can become including myself.  The one thing that has really bothered me in this entire scandal is how quickly “Christians” have thrown stones, or in the blogging world, have used their keyboards to throw out quick comments, insensitive remarks all for the sake of stats and ratings.  I have found myself guilty of this as well as I passed on a game that was sent to me to some of our team.  Instead of using this to slam others or add to the scandal, here are few ideas to turn this into a positive experience or a learning experience for you and your family

• Choose to use your words wisely.  Or choose to type your words wisely.  As quickly as this has become public and destroyed his reputation, these easily could happen to you or me.  Be careful what and how we talk about others.  If you are not part of the problem or the solution then what you have to say is GOSSIP.
• Don’t add to the pain. So many times we pile on and make the person feel worse instead of standing by them and encouraging them.  I’m reminded how Jesus was with the woman caught in adultery.  He said, you who are without sin throw the first stone, and they all walked away. He could have called her a whore and added to her pain but He took the higher ground and helped her to find redemption.
• Don’t say what you were going to say if you wouldn’t want their family or your family hear you say it.  Remember your comments don’t just hurt them but have the potential to hurt their family members including your own.
• Put yourself in their shoes.
• Be careful who you put on a pedestal. In so many cases they never asked to be there and don’t deserve to be there.  You must be choosy who you look up to.  Anybody is capable of falling.  Anybody can let you down.  Keep your eyes on Christ the only one worthy of being elevated to hero status.

What are your thoughts?