It’s high time I wrote about the family who stole my heart in 2007. I sat sobbing at the television set while watching “The Family Album” in the wee hours of the morning. I couldn’t explain my tears. I just saw a different love through this family that I had never seen before. My heart told me I had to serve them in some way.
I wrote Ms. Michelle and Mr. Jim Bob, telling them about my desire to serve. They had just moved into their freshly built home and given birth to their 17th child. This would be the perfect opportunity to help with the huge task of organizing.
My week with the Duggars was refreshing. I learned a great deal about family. I learned how to serve without complaints. I learned effective communication (soft words). I learned to be open with family. More than anything, in my week with them I learned that if I can’t simply grasp how to love and respect those in my household, how will I ever truly love and respect those outside of my house.
I watched as Mrs. Michelle and Mr. Jim Bob took out time for their children. Where they went, a few of the children would ride alone. The kids weren’t told to sit in a separate room to be babysat by the television set. The kids weren’t taught to be individualistic. They were taught to live in community. They were taught, like Jesus taught, the importance of sharing your life with others.
I was amazed at the amount of respect the younger ones had for their older sisters and brothers. They didn’t sass them. They were taught by their parents to respect their elders. I loved how the toddlers weren’t labeled as “terrible”; they were being “trained”- and not trained with impatience but with love and care.
I was treated as a member of the family. I helped with cleaning, cooking, knocking items off Mrs. Michelle’s list, school, music lessons (listening only), etc… We even decided to change my name to Jasondra (NOT).
What I noticed more than anything was how much Mrs. Michelle and Mr. Jim Bob cherished each one of their children. They didn’t neglect their marriage (date nights) and they didn’t neglect their children (one-on-one time).
I have kept in touch with the Duggars over the years. Several members of my family have been blessed to spend time with them. Mr. Jim Bob and Mrs. Michelle have raised their children to be mission-minded. They have raised them to love the Lord their God with all their hearts and love their neighbor as themselves. JOY is an acronym they go by: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.
It saddens me the number of people who constantly criticize the Duggars for their decision to follow the Lord but the Bible says “You are blessed when men persecute you for the sake of righteousness.” I have learned from the Duggars to persevere, endure, stay in the race. I have learned to be bold, courageous and strong no matter the attitudes of those around me.
Nearly a month ago I called a few friends super excited for Duggar Baby 20! I rejoiced right alongside of them.
And then I wept when I learned of their miscarriage. I mourned right alongside of them.
It breaks my heart to pieces the thought of anyone losing a child, however, I praise the Lord for the 19 healthy children God has blessed them with. I am not in anyway a “fan” of the Duggars; they are my family. We share and serve the same God. They are spiritual mentors for me as they have not given up in doing good. It excites me the values they are instilling in their children. Mr. Jim Bob and Mrs. Michelle have a mission ground. Their foundation is in Springdale, Arkansas but their branches are spreading all around the globe.
R.I.P. Jubilee Shalom Duggar
