Unsung Hero

I was moved after watching Unsung Hero with my family. The film is based on the Smallbone family’s journey from Australia to Nashville. It's a 100% true story, and it starts when Joel and Luke Smallbone's parents, Helen and David, lose everything in Australia.

They decide to move their six kids to Nashville for a job, only to arrive and find that their father has lost his job again in the music industry.

If you know the band King and Country, you can see their success. This family endured financial loss, emotional loss, grief, embarrassment, and fear of not knowing how to pay the bills to provide for their six kids.

To all the unsung heroes out there. I see you. You are working hard to make it for your family, chasing your dreams. You can do everything right and get nothing in return. You may be a quiet champion like a mother fighting every day, a hidden survivor battling cancer, or a silent father terrified of how to make it for his family. You may be an uncelebrated champion deserving of encouragement and praise.

I am sure if you are reading my words, you feel overwhelmed. I felt so much fear when I faced financial fear, chasing the right things with the wrong results. I found inspiration in being an unsung hero in my life, facing adversity growing up, being a father of six, and experiencing a similar circumstance as the Smallbones when we moved to San Diego back to the New Orleans area. You can find out my story by reading The Lesson of Speed.

Listen to the song Unsung Hero.

"Once upon a time, you were 25 Walking up the aisle, you made the promise of your life Blinked twice and you were 29 Singing lullabies, and I looked up at you for the first time

Words fall short but I am sure There'll never be anyone like you, you're

You're strong like your father even when you are scared When I was in trouble, you never left me there And you love like your mother, like there's nothing to lose You're an unsung hero, so I'll sing this song for you

Woke up, I was 21, and I fell in love Remember how I told you that I'd Searched the world and I found the girl And oh, how she reminds me of you, you're

Strong like your father even when you are scared When I was in trouble, you never left me there And you love like your mother, like there's nothing to lose You're an unsung hero, so I'll sing this song for you

For all the times I fell down, you showed me how to stand And when we crossed the ocean, you were my safe place to land Been on a thousand stages, but when it's all said and done I hope I make you proud of, of the man that I've become

To be strong like my father even when I am scared And when someone's in trouble, I'll never leave them there And I'll love like my mother, like there's nothing to lose You're my unsung hero, and I sing this song for you"

Unsung Hero depicts the true story of the Smallbone family’s move from Australia to Nashville. After losing everything, their parents, Helen and David, relocated their six children to Nashville, where their father faced job loss again.

Joel, portraying his father, gained a deeper understanding and empathy for the struggles his father endured to improve their lives. The film emphasizes the significance of family and the belief that real-life change begins at home.

Luke, who co-produced the film, shared their genuine struggles. Upon arriving in Nashville and facing adversity, their community provided love and support.

The movie illustrates that family is more than just a name; it’s about being there for each other during adversity.

The idea for the film was pitched in 2020. It intended to focus on the family’s story, not just their music career. The filmmakers wanted to highlight that without the American dream, local community, and church support, For King & Country wouldn't exist.

The filmmakers had the privilege of incorporating their true story into the script despite having to tone down some of the hardships.

Unsung Hero authentically portrays pursuing the American dream and family life; this movie will inspire you even if you are not a fan of music or faith-based films.

Real-Life Application:

• Stop looking around and comparing. Start looking at your family and never quit.
• Be Bold: Offer unwavering support to others when they face difficulties.
• Love Unconditionally: Love deeply and fearlessly, as taught by the great mothers.
• Acknowledge Unsung Heroes: Recognize and celebrate the quiet contributions of those who inspire you or who are overlooked.
• Strive for Growth: Work towards becoming someone who makes your mentors and loved ones proud.
• Provide Safe Haven: Be a dependable and safe place for others to lean on.
• When you're in the fight for your life: Watch the scene in the movie when Mr. Smallborne's father told him (right before he died) on the phone in the middle of the dark night of his soul, "Your family is not in the way; they are the way."
• Live in your house as if it is a glass house, and everyone can see how you treat the people in your influence during an unsung hero season and when it's a successful season.
• Stick with our wife. The most significant way to see a man's character is to look at his wife's countenance. Does she smile at her future? Does she know she is an unsung hero? How will your children speak of you at your funeral?

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Joey Stutson

www.thestutsongroup.com

Joey Stutson is a Learning Solutions Manager at CGB, Co-Founder of Stutsongroup, a broker of talent and leadership to development solutions service businesses needing talented facilitators. Joey is in the L.S.U. Military Museum and a LinkedIn author is publishing a new book called Real Life Inspiration.

Joey is also a keynote speaker with experience working in sales at Blanchard. His work has been highlighted by a video interview with Ken Blanchard.