FALLING FROM GRACE

I am spending this cold, rainy, dreary afternoon in front of a wonderful, warm and crackling fire.  I am refusing to turn on the television, for I know if I do, there will inevitably be something about the 'falling from grace' of Tiger Woods.  I don't watch much TV, but this morning, after fixing a nice steaming cup of coffee I turned on the news to catch up on what was going on in the world.  Evidently nothing, for once again, it was all about Tiger's sins.  I get on the internet, and low and behold, Tiger is on my home page.  On the radio, nothing but Tiger.  
This afternoon, my husband and I went shopping.  We stopped in a restaurant to get a bite to eat - there were TV's everywhere (which I hate in eating establishments) and on every single one of them was the 'Falling From Grace' Tiger woods story. ESPN was even doing a one hour 'special' on this 'exciting and scandalous breaking news'. This deeply saddens me.  It serves as a reference point in society as to where we are at and what we have become. We are a society of having 'no life'.  The most watched shows on TV are reality shows, which are nothing but voyeurism. In watching others make an ass out of themselves, it somehow makes us feel better about ourselves. I can't help but wonder how different  things would be if, instead of passing judgment on one another and trying to make sure that each one of us 'pays' for our sins, we just simply extended grace? 
Tiger Woods is known as the greatest golfer in the world and is a huge public icon.  But plain and simple, he is still just a man. A human being.  That means...imperfect, will make mistakes....he hurts....he bleeds...just like everyone else.  I am in no way condoning what Tiger has done.  But we as humans want to step in and make people 'pay' for what they have done.  I have never been known for being the 'greatest' at anything, but I have certainly had my fair share of  judgment from others .  Nothing hurts more than to be judged by the ones whom you thought loved you.  It is even more crushing to find out that the people who should  love you unconditionally have  placed 'conditions' on their love. Interestingly enough, what I have found is, that those who judged me the loudest and harshest are the ones who have 'sinned' far greater than I.
I know that when I, or someone I love has been unfairly judged, I have tended to lash back and remind the judger's of their sin's and thus their own hypocrisy.  This tactic has not worked well for me.  It simply keeps the hurt continuously cycling back to me. God set into place the law of "sowing and reaping", some call it Karma.  I believe that as humans, we are meant to extend love and grace just as the bible states (new testament) and let God's laws work its natural ways.  When we extend judgement and hate we interrupt that law and start a vicious, never ending cycle upon ourselves. 
One of my favorite perfumes is called 'Amazing Grace'. It is sweet, delicate and soft. It makes me feel good when I wear it - That is much the way grace is, sweet, delicate and most importantly, it is precious. The same words can apply to the way it feels to the extending of grace to one of our fellow humans.  Nothing warms and softens the heart more then receiving grace from the one who could have judged you. We should all just draw a line in the sand and allow no more judgement to our fellow humans.  Leave the stone throwing to those who have no sin. (Haven't met anyone like that yet!) The law of reaping and sowing (Karma)  can be changed as the heart of the trespasser changes.  Will there still be consequences for wrong actions? Unfortunately, yes!  I just wish the media and society would get a life, and quit throwing the self righteous stones at someone because of their humanity.  I heard a wise man  once say, "the church (and in this case, the world also) thinks it is its responsibility to make everyone right".  God simply wants us to help make others whole.  
Blessings and healing to the Woods' Family!
Namaste'