A Love That Multiplies

I don't watch much TV. It's hard to watch any when you have a 6 month old wanting your attention. The only show I can't wait to watch every Wednesday during Alden's naptime (Because it airs on Tuesday evenings and I DVR it) is 19 Kids and Counting.

This family has gotten lots of critism for the way they run their lives, however I LOVE this family. I get so many good ideas on parenting from Michelle Duggar. She has 19 wonderful, well-behaved, loving children. She is obviously doing something right.

Every week I watch her show and it keeps me motivated to be the best mother I can be. Something I have always struggled with is patience. I am not the person you take fishing, stand in a long line that doesn't move, or long road trips with little stopping. This is something as a mother I don't want to struggle with. Patience is key when parenting.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar recently put out a book, A Love That Multiplies. While on a road trip, I went into every Christian bookstore and WalMart to find this amazing book. We finally found it on our way home from the trip. I can't get enough of this woman's wisdom. She is just an absolutely amazing person. She talks about her struggles with parenting. She has worked through them and has found many ways to cope with these struggles, which helps me.

In the book, there is a poem that I absolutely love. Here it is.


LOVE

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love-- I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love-- My children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a childs laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes away the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through trials.
Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.
As a mother there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is LOVE.


The Duggars also have Household Guidelines that they follow on a daily basis. Lyndon and I have put these to practice in our own home.


1. Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.

2. Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.

3. Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others’ character.

4. Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.

5. Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.

6. Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.

7. Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)

8. Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.

9. Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don’t wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.

10. Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.

11. Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.

12. Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).

13. Always give a good report of others. Don’t gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)

14. Never raise a hand to hit.

15. Never raise a foot to kick.

16. Never raise an object to throw.

17. Never raise a voice to yell.

18. Never raise an eye to scowl.

19. Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!

20. Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.

21. Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)

22. Amendment J.O.Y. – Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.


I thought I would share these. They have this on their refrigerator for the whole family to see. This is something our family has incorporated into our lives.