There is one thing I notice that is very similar between Kelly Bates and Michelle Duggar. They are both very joyful! When they sit next to their husbands, they cuddle with them, hold their hands, and laugh a lot, especially Kelly with Gil. Both of their voices are gentle and sweet. They always seem to be optimistic about life.
Isn't this the way we all should be? God's Word tells us, "The joy of the Lord is your strength" {Nehemiah 8:10} and "This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!" {Psalm 118:24}. Our sins have all been paid for, we are new creatures in Christ and we know how it all ends! We should be the happiest people on earth.
If our children don't see the joy of the Lord in us, who will they see it in? Don't let them be attracted to the false pleasures of this world. Our children should be able to see Jesus in us. My mom always made loving Jesus look like the best thing in the world. Loving Him IS the best thing in the world. If these two women who both have 19 children can be joyful and happy, so can we.
Another verse that should impact our lives is found in Psalm 141:3, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." I have noticed that these two women are always positive with their words. Of course, we don't know what goes on behind closed doors but seeing how happy all of their children are, they are certainly doing many things right and we can learn from them.
God wants us to be very careful with the words we speak. We should be known for only speaking words of life, not of death. Also remember, our joy doesn't come from our circumstances, seeking the pleasures of this life or going on an expensive vacation. Our joy comes from making a choice to dwell on the lovely and the good and reminding ourselves of all the riches we have in Christ!
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in you heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always...
Ephesians 5:18-20
***The picture is my granddaughter holding two bunny heating pads we just made! Buy a $4 stuffed bunny at your local drug store. Rip out a small 2 - 3 inch seam on the bottom; take out all the stuffing from the head, arms and legs and then fill it with wheat berries or brown rice. Sew it back up. Pop it into the microwave for 50 seconds and your children will have a warm bunny to snuggle and sleep with! My grandchildren LOVE them! My granddaughter is only four so the bunnies look much bigger than they actually are. From the top of the head to the bottom of the feet, they measure nine inches stretched out.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in you heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always...
Ephesians 5:18-20
***The picture is my granddaughter holding two bunny heating pads we just made! Buy a $4 stuffed bunny at your local drug store. Rip out a small 2 - 3 inch seam on the bottom; take out all the stuffing from the head, arms and legs and then fill it with wheat berries or brown rice. Sew it back up. Pop it into the microwave for 50 seconds and your children will have a warm bunny to snuggle and sleep with! My grandchildren LOVE them! My granddaughter is only four so the bunnies look much bigger than they actually are. From the top of the head to the bottom of the feet, they measure nine inches stretched out.
