UnCommon Courage



I have struggled internally about writing this blog. I am not sure if it is the possibility of rejection or humiliation by the comments that may possibly arise, but one can't live in constant fear of what other people might thing of them, right? Please be kind and realize this is my own personal opinion and not an opinion shared by those who share my faith.

I usually get on a kick with new things until they "get out of my system". I am not sure if everyone is like this, but I blame it on my OCD tendency's. Here recently a new series of the show "19 kids and counting" aired and I watched it. There is something about that family that fascinates me. Not sure if it is a mother of 19 kids who NEVER raises her voice to scream at her children or the sheer number of children these two people have had on purpose. I watched in amazement that parents can raise extremely well behaved children with manners and with conservatives values that they not only teach their children, but also live it themselves. On this particular show I was watching, the oldest daughters were talking about their two year journey of writing their book called "Growing up Duggar". I looked it up on my iPhone read the sample and I was hooked. In less than 6 hours I had that book devoured. (Probably less if I didn't have a toddler competing for my attention) 

I am not a book reader like my mom or sister. If I read anything its usually nonfiction and something that has to do with my "kick". Reading is a big deal for me. I do it purely out of seeking information rather than pleasure.

I am so impressed with this family. The more I read about them, the more I want my son to have access to the things these children were exposed to. 



This book is all about what they have learned growing up in a very conservative home. Why their parents raised them the way they did and their thoughts on how they were raised. The love for the Savior and the love they have for everyone around them. (The love they have without passing judgment) They then go into detail about their experiences they have had in their very short lives and how they have shaped their decision on how they will live the rest of their life. This book is extremely easy to read. Mostly geared for young women in their teen years. Yet as a parent I recommend it even for us.

Here is what has impressed me most with the Duggar's. Starting with the parents. They were very young when they married (17-19) and just had a desire to be a God fearing Christian couple. (Who doesn't right?) They started off reading the Bible as their guide for living, an owners manual for life if you will. When they would read something that they felt was speaking to them they lived it. Pure and simple. (Something else I think all of us struggle with. Hand raised I am guilty) From the reason they have 19 children-- Psalm 127:3, to them being lead to homeschool -- Deuteronomy 6:6-7. Their decision to leave their hair long-- 1 Corinthians 11:15 to their modesty guidelines--Deuteronomy 22:5, 1 Timothy 2:9. I could go on, but I want you, as my reader, to think about something: Whether you are- Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, Mormon or non denominational, should we not ALL be living the way we have been shown to live in the scriptures we have been given? Something hit home to me while I was reading this book that really was a pivotal moment for me. "These parents were given the same tool I have and yet they have done one thing different than what I am doing. They are LIVING it. In every aspect of their life."

  "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only." James 1:22

 I am probably the less, of the less, of the less of perfect, and if there was a lesser of the less of perfect...I would probably be in that category. The reason I say that is, I am not here to preach to you. Stand here and correct your way of thinking or living. All I am trying to point out is we all profess to be "correct" in the faith we choose to live or attend only on Sunday. Every single one of us sin. Period. From being angry and loosing our temper with our family to being way over our heads in debt and every.single.thing in between. We all sin differently. All things I just mentioned are in the bible that are considered not living a "Christian life". The one thing I see less and less of is John 15:12. There are no exceptions in this scripture. Not one. No "If's" or "But's". Just love. Thinking someone is less than lovable because of the way they choose to live their life, or because they don't go to the same church or believe the same way you do isn't what we have been commanded to do. (Hand raised, I am guilty) We are to love everyone and to teach our children to love them and not judge them for the way they choose to live their life.

As I am reading this book I am just crying. (I know most of you are shocked) Tears dripping down my face, guilty of so much they are talking about, and in amazement that these very young girls have done more in their 19-21 years to serve others and to show the pure love of Christ, than I have done in my entire 32 years of life and probably will do in my entire life. Peering over at my precious little boy asleep in his bed, at this point I am (I am sleeping in his room on the floor because he has a cough that has scared us both.) praying I raise him to love his Father in Heaven, to seek out the scriptures in everything he does and to raise him in such a way that when people meet him there is no question in their mind he is living a Christian life. Not because he is "Mormon", but because he lives by his convictions.

After reading this book I quickly ordered "A love that Multiplies" written by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, and I was just as impressed.

If there was ever a family I wish to model our behavior after it would be this family. I have yet to meet a family that has actually practiced what they preach.



 Here is what I think is truly amazing about this couple. They have their children hold them accountable to their behavior. Most parents refused to accept correction from their children thinking that it is disrespectful. These two have asked their children to be their "accountability partners" to ensure they don't get angry or to gently remind them when they think they are getting angry.

 Their first book is on the way. I am just as excited to read their first book as I was about the other two. Can't wait.

I highly recommend these books. Regardless of religion. (They are conservative Christians. Although they go to a Baptist church, they don't consider themselves "Baptist") I really am curious as to what your thoughts are.

Thank you for reading.

1 John 4:19

xoxox