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Blogging has given me some wonderful opportunities; a few months ago, I had the chance to watch a screener of a new Christian military movie Indivisible. Anyone that knows me knows Christian movies are my favorite and as an active-duty Army wife, I could relate to this movie. The hardest part about watching it was waiting nearly 5 months for it to release so I could share this blog post! 😉
Indivisible is based on the extraordinary true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife Heather. With a strong, faith-filled marriage, the Turners are ready to follow their calling: serving God, family, and country. Fresh from seminary and basic training, Chaplain Turner and his family arrive at Fort Stewart. Yet before the Turners can even unpack their new house, Darren is deployed to Iraq. Heather is left taking care of their three young children alone … as well as serving the families of the other deployed soldiers. Despite a desire to stay connected with their loved ones, the harsh realities of war take a daily toll over the course of the Battalion’s extended deployment. Meanwhile back home, babies are born, kids keep growing, and nerves are frayed with every late-night knock on the door. With deeply etched battle scars, the soldiers’ long-awaited homecoming is much different than any of their families anticipated. Carrying burdens the other can’t comprehend, the Turners must decide if they’re willing to face one more battle: the fight to save their marriage.
What I enjoyed most about this movie is that it’s based on a true story. Chaplain Turner was an active-duty Army chaplain. He and his family experienced the struggles depicted in the film after his return from deployment. Sometimes, military movies are so inaccurate that my husband can’t bear to watch them, but this one was well-made. I especially love how the filmmakers and cast see this film as more than just a movie, but as a ministry opportunity to encourage military families and civilian families alike.
For those of you who are familiar with our love story, Andrew and I met 6 months after he returned home from his deployment to Afghanistan. Even then, I noticed that re-integration wasn’t “over.” Three years after his return home, we both know that the deployment changed him and he will never be the same person he was before.
Right now, Andrew is non-deployable due to his assignment as a Recruiter. When our time in the rural Midwest is over, we will be returning to life on an Army post… and that includes deployments. And in all honesty, he will request to be assigned to a unit with a pending deployment, since he will have spent the last 3+ years stateside; it is only fair that he deploy again so that another soldier who has deployed numerous times won’t have to. Am I scared at the thought of my husband being sent to combat again? Absolutely. What military spouse isn’t? But I know even if the worst should happen, God has a plan. He walks beside us in our pain, but he uses those situations for His good. He doesn’t promise us things will be easy, but that He will be there.
Military marriages face so many struggles– struggles that most civilian families aren’t aware of and can’t fathom experiencing personally. I hope that this movie not only reminds people that you’re never too far gone to be saved, just like Chaplain Turner’s marriage is never too far gone, but I also hope that it shows viewers how challenging military life can be for servicemembers and their families. When you go to bed tonight, say a prayer for our military members and their spouses.