It’s
all about relationships according to the four oldest Duggar girls from TLC’s 19
Kids and Counting, in their new book, “Growing Up Duggar.” Jana, Jill, Jessa and Jinger reveal what it is
like to living with 18 brothers and sisters, all the while trying to navigate
into womanhood. Even though their lives are played out on TV, the Duggar girls
wrote a book to answer the multitude of messages they receive from their fans
who want to know so much more about their lives.
The book is divided into sections
that each deal with a different relationship that encompass our lives and how
important it is to keep those relationships strong.
“Those relationships begin the way God
created us and seeking His purpose for our lives,” the girls said.
These relationships consist of the ones
we have with ourselves, our parents, friends and siblings. They explain the
most anticipated section is the discussion about their relationship with boys
and how they will find the one for them. Beyond those topics are the ways they
serve their culture, country and the world.
If you didn’t already know the
Duggar’s are a devotedly Christian family that believes in living a life with
morals and character. The Duggar children grew up with no TV or Internet and
were homeschooled. Their choice of movies is a limited selection chosen by
their parents. Most of our childhoods would not look quite the same to the
Duggar family. They don’t update Facebook or Twitter because it adds nothing of
value to their lives.
“While there is nothing inherently wrong
with social networking and it is possible for these things to be used as a tool
for ministry, they can often be big time wasters,” the girls said.
It is hard at times, while reading, not
to think that this book is taking on an air of preaching. The Duggar girls
tread lightly when it comes to explaining why they live their life the way they
do.
“We know how weird we must seem to a lot
of you, with our different style of dressing and our conservative Christian
beliefs,” the girls said.
They believe in not kissing before
marriage, wearing clothes that don’t expose their cleavage or thighs and they
don’t have to be told more than once to do something their parents ask them.
They back up their convictions with passages from the Bible to prove that God
wants you to follow those same rules too.
Although their story is far from the
norm, more than once it will make you reflect on your own life and figure out
where it all went wrong. However, underneath their sermon like demeanor they
are still young girls in their 20’s that have the same emotions and concerns as
the rest of us.
They try their best to present a
different way of life that brings them the most joy and fulfillment. They are so self-confident and happy with who
they are as individuals because they aren't falling victim to peer pressure or outside influence from other kids
their age. They live their life to serve others and ultimately to foster their
ultimate relationship with God. There is something to be said about 19 kids
that only believe in doing the right thing.
