In the wise words of one Taylor Swift, “People throw rocks at things that shine.”
The phrase couldn’t be more true for HGTV power couple and America’s favorite Texans, Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Whether it’s being dragged down by a BuzzFeed staff writer about their pastor’s views, constantly battling divorce rumors that literally could not be further from the truth, or reassuring fans that Joanna’s design aesthetic will not be wasted on a beauty line, the Gaineses often find themselves being the voice of TRUTH and reason in a world that looks for any reason to pull someone down.
This week is no different.
Chip Gaines is firing back at a USA Today op-ed that questioned the reality star’s character, suggesting that his own home and family life needs fixing up.
“Chip and Joanna Gaines did not get where they are by putting their family first,” wrote Daryl Austin, a USA today opinion contributor in a column published over the weekend.
Daryl, a small business owner from Utah, expressed his own love for Chip and Jo, saying that their commitment to God, family, marriage and community is admirable.
“It’s an image Chip and Joanna work hard to convey,” Daryl says of the “family first” couple, noting the countless scenes from Fixer Upper featuring their kids and literally every interview they’ve ever done as just a few examples of how the couple SHOWS the world that quality time with their kids and each other is their number one priority.
“Except it isn’t so,” Daryl writes. “Not if actions really do speak louder than words. I’ve always believed that we prove what we value most by where we choose to spend our time. Where do Chip and Joanna Gaines spend their time?”
He then divulged into the logistics of the Gaineses world and every facet of the Magnolia empire — everything from the success of their multi-city real estate company which includes land development services, renovations, rental property management, remodeling, fixing and flipping homes, a brokerage, and managing a large team of real estate agents to everything Joanna-esque: a quarterly magazine, an online store, a restaurant, an interior design company, a blog (which Joanna still writes herself), a wallpaper line, a furniture line, a paint line, a line of designer pillows and rugs, and an exclusive line of products for Target.
All of that, on top of having four kids, a fifth on the way and keeping up on their own farm?
Daryl doesn’t buy it.
“This is just not possible, and it does a disservice to the parents who really are putting their children first. No matter how rich and famous, we are all limited by the same 24 hours in a day,” he wrote. “You cannot do all they’ve done (or even a fraction of it) and still have any real time left over for family.”
Reading through Daryl’s argument, I can’t help but think of 2 Timothy 3:12, in which Paul warns that all who desire to live a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted.
In following the Lord, and putting Him first in their marriage, their parenting, and their business model, the Gaineses have been abundantly blessed.
The reality stars are no strangers to people trying to tear down what they’ve built up in faith, and as any Christian who has placed their faith in Christ and pursues him FIRST, they know that the world will always come against them.
People throw rocks at things that shine.
Chip took to Twitter on Saturday clapping back at Daryl’s harsh claims against his family, once again giving God all the glory.
I dont know daryl, & he clearly doesnt know me. But for the record: If there is ever a need w/ my family (1st), I’ll shut this circus down so fast it will make your head spin. BUT jo & I believe, w/ God anything is possible. Including having an amazing family AND career you love. https://t.co/3DbWIIKMnh
— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) April 28, 2018
The Gaineses have continuously shown the world what it looks like to respond with grace, truth and even love. Chip’s weekend tweet was nothing short of that.
Still, it seemed the op-ed wasn’t totally clear from his mind when the week began, as the 43-year-old tweeted some wise words from John McCain about judging one another.
“Whether we think each other right or wrong on the issues of the day, we owe each other respect.” – John McCain
— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) April 30, 2018
In a quick Google search, I learned that Chip and Joanna employ over 300 people across their many businesses. That to say, this dynamic duo may have it all, but they certainly don’t do it all alone.
Daryl’s opinion is very surface-driven, as anyone’s would be. To make claims against someone we don’t know personally is gossip. It makes me think of that saying, “never judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” We often say this about people who are suffering, but shouldn’t that be the case for everybody?
Shoutout to Chip for standing his ground, and once again, proving with grace and class that family does, in fact, come first.
