Better than anyone else, I know myself. At this time in my life, I’ve come to a point where I acknowledge and appreciate the gifts I’ve been given — the things I do well and the things I enjoy doing. Through the years, I have also learned that I am not perfect. I am flawed. I make poor choices. I am human. And, yes, from time to time, I can be downright foolish. It is in such times that we desperately need the love and support of others.

I could probably say, “We’ve all been there,” and, perhaps, I would be right. Honestly, though, I don’t know for certain that this is true. There are people in my life who I look up to with such respect and awe that I cannot imagine them ever making a poor choice, treating someone disrespectfully, or doing anything that would, in any way, jeopardize their integrity. Is it really possible to be that good… all the time?

In recent years, no small number of celebrities have been knocked off their pedestals. Three popular, well-loved individuals come to mind: Matt Lauer, Bill Cosby, and Lance Armstrong. Each had made a name for himself. Each had excelled in their field. Each had experienced success far greater than anything they had probably ever anticipated. In the end, however, they all experienced a painful fall from grace due to choices they made.

It’s easy for me, for us, to judge such people as pathetic or disgusting. I know I’m guilty of having felt this way. It’s natural to look with scorn upon those whose reputation has been destroyed by their own behavior. I am reminded of the words of wisdom my mother shared with me on many occasions in my younger days. She said, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” It took a while for me to understand what she meant by these words, but as I got older, the message became quite clear to me.

Oscar Wilde, the Irish poet and playwright, wrote, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” Quite a thought-provoking, and hopeful observation.

I’m also reminded of the words of the humorous social commentator, Will Rogers, who said, “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.”

The poem above, by J. Warren Welch, is both an invitation and a challenge. It’s easy to sit back and point the finger of guilt at those whose choices ruin their well-earned reputation. The author encourages us to embrace a far more compassionate response.