Fortunately for me I married a man who let’s me pick the movie. Even when it’s not something he’d actually choose to spend money on or take the time to see. And especially when he knows I won’t return the favor by going with him to a flick more to his liking…which would generally involve a lot of action, blood, gore, and maybe even some scantily-clad women.
The other night Tom and I went to see the movie War Room. The Kendrick Brothers, out of Georgia, are the creators and have brought to light many family-based, Christian films over the past several years, including Courageous, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants. Like all of the others, this film does not disappoint.
A quick synopsis…
Once upon a time, there was a lovely family (which includes a mom, dad, and a lovely, vibrant 10-year-old daughter) who live in a beautiful home, they drive beautiful cars, and they attend weekly church services…you know, they appear to be a happy, well-adjusted, wonderful people. However, that is just what you see on the outside surface.
Behind the front door you get a glimpse of a totally different picture.
While still surrounded by the beauty of their interior decor, the husband and wife are in the middle of a strained, disconnected relationship which can also be seen in the interactions between each of the parents and their daughter. However, through a series of events (too lengthy to explain here), the family, on the verge of completely breaking down, is (by the grace of God) able to turn itself around through prayer, compassion, and a change of heart.
I know, it sounds like a really neat, pretty, and clean two hour experience. But, here’s the thing…it’s NOT.
In fact, there is a whole lot of ugly going on. And, if your family is anything like mine, you can identify with some [if not all] of the unhappy patterns reflected in the film. Mom is distracted by her busy real estate career, dad is pumped up by his pharmaceutical sales numbers…and by the cute female coworker, child is often ignored when needing to be heard the most.
I’m not gonna lie, several scenes in this movie brought me to tears, because they hit a little too close to home. I could see variations of this playing out, at times, in my marriage and parenting.
You see, like many people, I spend a lot of time wanting to appear put-together, an “everything is rainbows and puppy dogs”, we-got-this-down-as-a-couple-and-as-a-family kind of gal. But that’s just not always the case.
Not even almost always, really.
So, now that I have burst your bubble, I bet you’re thinking, “Kim, why the heck would I go see a movie that could potentially make me cry and feel bad because I can see my marriage and family in the characters on the screen?” “Why would I spend two hours of my precious time sad about the state of marriage and family life today, what good could come from it?”
In my opinion, the good from the movie War Room is that you remember there is HOPE for marriages and family life to work out. And, while I am not a Bible-based gal, the most important message I personally received from the movie was how much I need to be praying for my husband. Not the “God please don’t let him lose his job” kind of prayer, but the kind of prayer that tells God I hope He will find a way into my husband’s heart and to help me stay focused on being the wife and mother my family needs me to be.
Because, bottom line, as human beings we are here to connect with one another…not through illicit affairs, or by trying to keep up with big houses and perfect looking children…but through honest, real life give-and-take. By slowing down the pace of our daily lives and taking the chance on being truly seen and vulnerable with the people you love the most. Letting them see who you really are and how dear they are to you.
My husband is a man of few words, especially when it comes to religion and spirituality, but I think he took something good away from the movie as well.
Maybe someday soon he’ll open his heart and share it with me.
Go see the movie, I promise you will not be disappointed.
