War on the Homefront
Average Rating: Not rated
[4 Comments]Waves lapped the sand while fireworks lit the night sky with red, white, and blue sparkles. It was July 4, and thousands gathered at the Virginia Beach celebration to observe the patriotic holiday. Marshéle and Mark Waddell watched the rockets exploding overhead, enjoying the show.
As the display concluded with a flurry of firecrackers and sonic booms, Marshéle (pronounced mar-SHELL) glanced toward Mark to share her excitement. But Mark was gone.
When he didn't return after several moments, Marshéle began to search for him. After a few minutes combing the crowd, she found him—far from the commotion, on a dark, deserted stretch of beach.
"What are you doing?" she called.
Mark didn't answer, his stern gaze fixed on the dark water.
"Honey, what's wrong?" she pressed, starting to worry.
To her surprise, Mark's eyes filled with tears as his voice trembled, "Can we just go home?"
The exploding firecrackers had triggered confusing emotions in Mark, a Navy SEAL two months home from combat in Iraq—memories of violence and death, sorrow over friends lost, and anger at America's failure to appreciate fully their sacrifice.
Although bewildered by Mark's reaction, 20 years as a military wife had conditioned Marshéle not to probe further. From the earliest days of their courtship, a barrier had existed between Mark's sensitive, secret job and his personal life—a wall Mark had erected under encouragement from his superiors and one Marshéle respected without question. But in the days that followed that beach retreat, Marshéle began to wonder if that silence was really the best thing for their marriage.
A young love
Mark and Marshéle met in church youth group in Phoenix, Arizona, and dated as teens, parting ways after high school—Mark to join the Navy and Marshéle to attend Arizona State University. Though they still had feelings for each other and kept in touch over the next few years, their lives were moving in different directions. While Mark completed his SEAL training, Marshéle worked on a degree in journalism and became engaged to a fellow student. The separation seemed permanent.
But Mark's first official deployment in the Philippines was life-changing. As a teen, fallout from his parents' messy divorce had shaken his faith in the church. Now seeing the suffering and exploitation all around him inspired Mark to re-examine God's purpose for his life. Broken, lonely, and still in love with Marshéle, he asked God to take control. "God, if it's your will," he prayed, "please let her reconsider the love we shared."
Meanwhile, Marshéle realized her feelings for Mark were still strong—too strong to commit to another man.
Three weeks (the average mail time from the States) to the day after Mark's prayer, he received a five-page letter from Marshéle. Not only had she broken her engagement, but she asked Mark to consider rekindling their relationship.
Originally published in: Marriage Partnership, 2007, Summer, Page 48
More from by Dawn Zemke:
Kyria.com | Books
Join the Kyria.com Community!
Become a member to have access to the following:
- Full access to the bimonthly Kyria digizine, each issue focusing on a spiritual discipline or theme
- 50 percent discount on all of the downloadable resources in the Kyria Store
- Hundreds of members-only articles for thoughtful, influential women
downloadable guides
Sabbath Rest in a World of Stress
Practical insights for how to live a life that honors the spirit of Sabbath-rest.
The Mentoring Series: Nancy Ortberg
Discover leadership principles from a well-known author and respected leader.Browse More Guides
back to top
Average User Rating: Not rated
Esther
Excellent article. I am blessed. Can be a good Christian movie.
Esther Mondido
This article blessed me so much. It gives me a real picture of what is post traumatic stress disorder and how it bring problems to relationships. I guess this can be a wonderful movie based on true story. I thank God for allowing me to read this article and gives me ideas how to understand and relate to situations like this. It's my prayer that Mark and Marshelle will be a continous blessings to all the people they ministered to.
Melanie
There is so much truth in this story. Give no way to open the door to divorce, even if the situation seems so bad. Do not avoid confrontation, you better can rock the boat than keep the peace. Keep believing in each other and take your responsibility to work on the solution. It is hard work and it cost a price..but it is worth it. We should share more with each other to let others know we are not the only ones...thanks for sharing. Be blessed. Melanie
Naomi
Infact, i really appreciate this true life experience, very encouraging and helpful not only for wives of military men but also to all wives to endure and work through their marriages to make it work.it may not necessarily come in the above pattern but the processes are encouraging. thanks a lot.
Rate & Comment on this article *