If you're a mom, you know who she is...you've seen her family's show on TLC and you probably have formed your own opinion about her... too many kids, crazy, sheltering her kids, out-of-touch with the real world, misguided, brainwashing her kids, etc. To me, she's a great role model. Now, that doesn't mean I want to have 19 kids. To me, she is an inspiration because of the love she has for God and the way she's chosen to live her life as a wife and mother. We all wish we could have the ideal christian home where peace and harmony always abound, where everyone knows they're loved and cherished, where old-fashioned moral christian values are taught and most importantly modeled for us in the lives of our parents. While I may not share her religious beliefs in their entirety, (I believe she is a baptist and I am not), I do agree with her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and am very inspired by the way she and her husband are choosing to raise their children. This couple has endured much criticism about their large, christian family but I am inspired by the fact that through all the adversity and ill-will sometimes shown to them in chat rooms, facebook, and various media outlets, they continue on and haven't compromised. They are on TV in the hopes that others will be inspired to look to Jesus Christ for their answer as well. They strive to keep God #1 in their individual and family's lives and teach their children the importance of doing that also. Even when faced with adversity and grief, they want their show to continue taping through those times in the hopes that it will inspire someone else who is going through a similar trial to look to Jesus for their hope. I believe that is why their show has been so successful while other reality shows about exceptional families may have burned out with some of those families actually becoming dysfunctional. They do not compromise their beliefs just to be popular. They stay true to what they believe no matter what others may think of them. I have to say, as much as people criticize this family, I don't think anyone could meet Michelle in person and leave without having a great respect for her.
I hope this testimony inspires both young and old to want to know God for yourself, to be a testimony to those you meet and to stand strong in your christian beliefs no matter what opposition you may face...to strive to have that peace in your heart that emanates from Michelle, to strive to be a better wife and mother...to be the kind of woman that God wants you to be, not what the world does. When it all comes down at the end of our time here on earth, who's opinion will matter the most to us...the world's or God's?
