Earlier this week, we learned that Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child with his housekeeper forcing wife Maria Shriver to hire a divorce attorney. Every time I hear of something like this happening whether in the entertainment industry, political arena, my family, or at church, something deeply bothers me on the inside.
It just makes me angry when the husband, the one entrusted to lead and protect, trades responsibility and legacy for selfishness and pleasure. What a waste!Â
What is worse than wasting your leadership though, is what your actions did to your wife. Here is what some very famous women said after learning of their husband’s indiscretions:
- “This is a painful and heartbreaking time. As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment.” —Maria Shriver
- “There were three of us in this marriage.” —Princess Diana
- “Yes, I have filed for divorce. I don’t know what else to say. I’m sad, and I am scared.” —Sandra Bullock
- “I thought I had the picket fence. I thought we were happy.” —Christy Brinkley
- “I felt stupid as more things were revealed — how could I not have known anything? The word betrayal isn’t strong enough.  I felt like my whole world had fallen apart. It seemed that my world as I thought it was had never existed. I felt embarrassed for having been so deceived. I felt betrayed by many people around me….It is hard to describe the emotional roller coaster I have been on, and it’s not over yet. I pretty much followed — and am following — the stages of grief that I have learned in my psychology studies: shock, bargaining, anger, depression — and I am still working on the last stage, forgiveness and/or acceptance.” —Elin Woods
No wonder that Helen Rowland who lived in the first half of the 20th century said, “Every man wants a woman to appeal to his better side, his nobler instincts and his higher nature — and another woman to help him forget them.”  Â
Painful, heartbreaking, sad, scared, stupid, betrayed, embarrassed, deceived, grief, shock, anger, and depression. Guys, those were the words used by the five ladies mentioned above – powerful ladies. I don’t care how you want to rationalize it. This is what we are doing to the ones we pledged our life to! Please tell me we’re better than that.
Know this, I’m no better than any other husband. All men are just one bad decision away from destroying countless lives and the next several generations. Lord, please lead me not into temptation. Please protect me from that.
Men and women, I know you have strong feelings on this subject.  Please share them.
For related topics, check out my previous posts on Why Men Cheat and Why Women Cheat.
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