Let's Move On Now

Tiger Woods has made a public apology to his wife, family, friends, employees, and fans. For those of us familiar with recovery this was a first step. There are many more steps to come and they will be equally as difficult although hopefully not played out before the eyes of the world on live television. Recovery is a process and you can't put a time limit on it. It is different for every person regardless of their addiction. People in recovery also need lots of space and the privacy of group and one-on-one therapy to get at the root of their addiction and the tools to deal with it.

Whether he said what the pundits, analysts, commentators, experts, and we wanted to hear is unimportant. Already people are debating why he used a written statement. I have a degree in communications and I speak publicly for a living and I totally understand why he read from a written statement. I am also aware that he is not a politician, actor, or public speaker. Armchair quarterback's in the media are already questioning whether or not he was sincere, contrite or broken. None of us know that. Let me say that again, none of us know whether or not he was sincere. His wife and family are the ones who will know over time whether or not he is sincere in his apology. And that's the appropriate arena, not in front of cameras, reporters and tabloids.

It's time to move on. The story is over. For those who are chomping at the bit for him to return to golf back off. For those who are celebrating his fall remember this on the day you need and want some grace. He has his priorities in order. Golf is and needs to be on the back burner. Addiction, recovery, marriage and family should be his only priorities. Sorry if that ruins your Saturday or Sunday PGA viewing, but this isn't about you or me. In the words of Jack Nicklaus who commented when the story first broke, "That's a private matter for him and his family."

Let's keep some perspective here. This was a broken, imperfect, fallen human (like the rest of us) publicly admitting his sin and failure. He is not a god and hopefully not an idol. Unlike most of us, he is incredibly wealthy and an amazing athlete, but at the end of the day, he is a broken human like the rest of us.

I hope he has the space he needs to work on his recovery and his marriage. I hope he doesn't come back to golf until it's time whenever that may be. I pray for his recovery, his wife and their marriage. I also pray that through recovery he will eventually come to an awareness and knowledge of the only One who can wash across his heart with grace and free him of the chains of sin.

It's a sad commentary on our culture when the public apology of an athlete for marital infidelity brings the worldwide media to a halt with live coverage. In my world the sun came up this morning and it will come up again tomorrow. I am reminded that God is still in control and my need for Him has never been greater. Time to move on.