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Al Robertson doesn't believe a marriage should always end after an affair.
The eldest son of Phil and Miss Kay Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame will join his wife, Lisa Robertson, in confronting their painful past in a new Lifetime movie premiering Saturday titled “Faith & Forgiveness.” The film reveals how Lisa became involved in an extramarital affair 15 years after their union and how her faith eventually restored their relationship.
“When infidelity happens in a marriage, a lot of times, that's the end of it, but it doesn't have to be that way,” Robertson told Fox News Digital. “Everything can be solved.”
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Al and Lisa Robertson share their personal story in the Lifetime movie “Faith & Forgiveness.” (Courtesy of Al and Lisa Robertson)
“I think the reason I was willing to fight for my marriage was because I had made a lot of mistakes on my own,” he admitted. “When I first met Lisa, she was actually a good girl, who had experienced some tough things in her life up to that point, but was really looking for what she called her 'knight in shining armor,' someone to take her hand and get her out of some things. And I wasn't that guy in the early years.”
The couple first met in the parking lot of a McDonald's in West Monroe, Louisiana, a popular hangout for teenagers. Robertson was 17 years old and a senior, while Lisa was 15 years old and a sophomore. They dated on and off before marrying in 1984. After welcoming two daughters, Robertson served as a pastor at a church his family had been members of for years. Lisa felt alone and isolated while her husband was away.
“Faith and Forgiveness” premieres May 16 at 8 p.m. (Life)
“To be honest, I made a big mistake by not bringing Lisa on board as a partner in what we were doing, in my career and in my dreams,” Robertson said. “[She] I was also dealing with all this internal stuff from when I was young. I just didn't recognize it. I didn't see it.”
WATCH: AL AND LISA ROBERTSON SAY FAITH HELPED THEIR MARRIAGE HEAL AFTER INFIDELITY
Lisa told Fox News Digital that behind closed doors, she struggled with her childhood memories.
“From a very early age, at 7 years old, I was subjected to someone abusing me,” she explained. “I think at age 7 I started being dishonest with who I was and what I was. I think the evil one played a huge role in that because he constantly reminded me of it. I think I started down that path of dishonesty at that time, and that darkness really started there. As I got older, it got worse and worse.”
Lisa Robertson in high school. (Courtesy of Al and Lisa Robertson)
Years later, an old boyfriend contacted Lisa at work. She soon found herself caught up in an adventure. During the summer of 1999, Robertson began to suspect that Lisa might have been seeing someone behind her back. She repeatedly denied his accusations.
Al and Lisa Robertson told Fox News Digital that they were moved to tears after seeing their story come to life. (Life)
“I had prayed throughout this whole thing that God would open a door for me to walk away and that no one would find out because I didn't want to hurt Alan,” Lisa said. “I didn't want to hurt our family. [But] I didn't think [our marriage] I would make it. If he ever found out, I knew it was all over. I'm convinced it will all end, especially when he says, 'I'm leaving.' And I knew it because he had always told me so. “If I ever cross the line, it would be the end.”
Robertson used mobile phone records to piece together the truth. The couple then agreed to a temporary separation.
Al Robertson in high school. (Courtesy of Al and Lisa Robertson)
“I think for the first few weeks I was inclined to think it was probably over,” he said. “I just wasn't sure I could fully trust again. [I wasn’t] I'm sure Lisa really wanted to be in our marriage. Do you really know if your spouse wants to stay? Do they want something more than what you have to offer?”
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Al Robertson and Lisa Robertson sign copies of their book “A New Season” at Bookends bookstore in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on January 5, 2015. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
Lisa remembers a time when, overwhelmed and completely broken, she walked into her backyard and cried out to God for forgiveness. During her prayer, she was completely honest with God about what she had done. She describes that moment as a turning point in her faith. She was ready to truly repent and start a new life.
“The role of faith played a very important role in my life,” he explained. “Once I gave my life to the Lord, in the backyard, when I finally called out to God, He came and found me right there in the backyard. From that day on, I think I knew I could do it because I had never called on Him before. I had never asked Him for help or asked Him to rescue me. [But] He came and rescued me. “I think that was the most important thing I did.”
Al Robertson told Fox News Digital that he has always been inspired by his parents, Phil Robertson and Kay Robertson, and how they remained dedicated to each other. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Lisa was not only baptized, but she surrounded herself with women who had already developed a solid foundation in their faith. Together they studied and encouraged each other. She, along with her husband, also sought counseling.
Lisa Robertson and Al Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” are backstage at the 45th annual GMA Dove Awards at Allen Arena, Lipscomb University, in Nashville on October 7, 2014. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for the Dove Awards)
“I changed the way I dress,” Lisa said. “I changed the way I put on makeup. I changed what I listened to. I changed the way I approached men. I changed the way I talked because my mouth was dirty. I changed a lot of things.
“But the first thing was that I cried out to God. The second thing was to surround myself [with those women]. But also the third thing was counseling: finding someone who could help me get rid of those negative things in my life and finally put an end to them.”
Al and Lisa Robertson told Fox News Digital that they hope that by speaking out, their story will inspire other struggling couples. (Life)
Robertson noted that in their early years together, he was unfaithful to Lisa. She not only forgave him but married him. Robertson wondered: could he, too, forgive?
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Al and Lisa Robertson are seen here with their family. (Courtesy of Al and Lisa Robertson)
“What changed my mind and my heart about Lisa was her,” he said. “In talking to friends who were with her, it was obvious to me that she wanted this marriage to stay together. She was very sorry for what had happened. She had finally come to closure with her own life. She was dealing with a lot of her past through counseling, through people who were helping in her life.”
Al and Lisa Robertson, Willie and Korie Robertson and Kay Robertson arrive at the premiere of the movie “The Song” at the Franklin Theater in Franklin, Tennessee on September 19, 2014. (Jason Davis/Getty Images for City On A Hill)
“I think my own appreciation of not only what God had done for me, but also what Lisa had done for me, gave me that ability to forgive infidelity,” Robertson said. “Her growth as a person and as a Christian in those first few weeks is what convinced me to say, 'If she has the ability to change who she is, like I did many years before, then I have the ability to forgive like God forgives.' That's when everything changed. We knew we were going to find our way back together.”
Reality TV personalities Korie Robertson, Willie Robertson, Lisa Robertson, Alan Robertson, Kay Robertson, Phil Robertson and Si Robertson participate in pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 11, 2015. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)
In December 1999, the couple renewed their vows. Together, they have been devoted to God and each other. Over the years, they have traveled around the country, speaking with couples struggling in their relationships. They are happier than ever.
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Today, Al and Lisa Robertson enjoy spending time together at the beach, traveling, and dancing with Frank Sinatra at night. (Courtesy of Al and Lisa Robertson)
“To have a really strong, very intimate marriage – not just sexual intimacy, I mean spiritual, physical and emotional intimacy – there has to be honesty,” Lisa said. “Honesty is the most important thing you can do to have a successful marriage. We must also look at ourselves the same way Jesus looks at us.”
