The governor of South Carolina has been in the news of late. You now know the story — an affair with a younger woman from Argentina; his deception of not only his wife but his staff and anyone else who seems to believe they have a right to know; his apology, etc., etc.
Being a clinical social worker for the past twenty-eight years, I cannot begin to count the number of times I have heard stories of this nature. It is very common. Why all the sensationalism, the shameful finger pointing and our self-righteous and feigned shock?
Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone!
Mind you, I in no way am suggesting marital infidelity is harmless or is acceptable behavior. Infidelity unleashes a torrent of emotion and is deeply hurtful, especially to the betrayed spouse and to the children.
But I am saying no one is exempt from the temptation and no one can honestly say, “I would certainly never do that!”
Quite frankly, the affair is seldom if ever the real threat to the marriage. What is fatal is misunderstanding what the affair is saying about the marital relationship. Until this is understood, the marriage is in jeopardy.
Let’s not throw stones. Let’s look in the mirror and tend carefully our marriages, grateful for the graces and blessings that our spouses can and do bring us.
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