BEING MORAL ISN'T ALWAYS ENOUGH
What you may do and what you should do are two different things.
Archibald D. Hart
April 1, 1988
I recently counseled a pastor of many years' experience. Six months before he came to see me, the husband of a 38-year-old woman from his congregation had died suddenly of a heart attack. The young widow needed grief counseling, so the pastor agreed to see her weekly. The widow (let's call her Carol) found great comfort in the counseling. One day she brought Don, the pastor, a small gift-an expensive, gold-trimmed pen that had belonged to her husband. "I just want to show my appreciation for all the help you've given me," she told Don. She felt it would have been her husband's wish. Pastor Don was a little surprised, but not wanting to offend Carol (and it was a beautiful pen!), he accepted the gift graciously. Two weeks later she brought her husband's stereo Walkman and wondered whether Don might not enjoy listening to music when he went jogging. Don protested mildly but again accepted the gift, admitting to himself that the Walkman had been on his list of desirable, but too expensive, amenities. A week later Carol insisted that Don have her husband's new golf clubs. "It's what he would have wanted me to do," she countered when he at first demurred. Then she asked whether they could meet twice a week, because she was "getting so much out of the time together." Without realizing what he was doing, Don acquiesced. Week after week, a few more gifts accompanied Carol, who was becoming increasingly dependent on the time spent with Don. Early one morning, Don woke with a sudden realization: This relationship with Carol is getting unhealthy, and I've been encouraging it! Carol had begun to transfer all her affection and needs from her deceased husband to him. He panicked. How will I ever get out of this mess? At first he thought he ...
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