Farrell Family Guidelines

I am so blessed to have one of those friends that radiates everything I strive to be. She is an incredible God-fearing mother, wife, daughter and friend, and I truly love being around her. God placed her in my life for a reason, and I am forever grateful for our friendship. She sent me an email today about making family guidelines. This is something the Duggar's practice in their home...and while I have mixed feelings about the fact that they are expecting #20...they are a beautiful family, with wonderful morals and values, and they clearly live for the Lord.
I loved this idea, so much that I wanted to post our family guidelines here, to make me more accountable! Thank you my sweet friend, you always add J.O.Y. and encouragement to my life!

1. Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well. 


2. Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.


3. Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.


4. Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.


5. Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.


6. Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.


7.Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through (Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose)

8. Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.


9. Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.


10. Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line. The power of sin is in secrecy. 


11. Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.


12. Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, think about such things Romans 13:14 Clothe yourself with the Lord JC, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of sinful nature).

13. Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! (Use Matthew 18.)


14. Never raise a hand to hit.


15. Never raise a foot to kick.


16. Never raise an object to throw.


17. Never raise a voice to yell.


18. Never raise an eye to scowl.


19. Use one toy/activity at a time. Share! 


20. Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.


21. Never let the sun go down on your wrath. 
(Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)


22. Amendment J.O.Y. Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.