Food, Family & Fun

 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 

For they [will be] a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.  

- Proverbs 1:8-9 

Two Words: Duck Dynasty.

I am putting myself on the line as someone who loves words, loves conversation and likes to think things through [maybe more than they should be] when I say the following: It's refreshing to see a TV show about a real family well grounded in God and family values, saying what they mean and meaning what they say with no false humility. I can learn a lot from the Robertson family about making words and actions count.

TV came to them. They didn't go looking for TV. I heard Miss Kay say recently on an interview that she understands fame is fleeting, and if all of this went away tomorrow, they would still be fine. I believe they would. They're family. They live life and learn together. They honor the older generation. They guide the younger generation. Peace and reconciliation live in this family. It's evident in the last scene of each episode when the family gets together for a meal learning from their recent events and reconciling any differences over food, with family having fun.

While the world and its problems has been spinning on its axis, one family -- among many of the same spirit who will never be famous -- has stayed on the straight and narrow. They don't strive for eloquence, but strive to get the job done. What one sees for sure is the peace in their souls -- It rings loud and clear though they don't say a word about it -- unless asked.

Years ago my brother and his wife moved their children out to an acreage to ground them more in what is important. It wasn't easy. A lot of hard work and love went into growing their family as they managed the acreage and raised animals. They did many chores and had plenty of play time. Their hands were kept busy so that their imaginations didn't have time to run away with them and lead them places they shouldn't be. Did they challenge their parents sometimes? Of course. What child doesn't. But there was room for natural child growth without too much worldly interference.

Their oldest son is a master hunter as far as I'm concerned, along with his brother. Two of the kindest young men I know. Their youngest sister raised a few dogs and cats and several different kinds of birds. She's a joy to converse with.

One story comes to mind. At one time my niece had some unidentifiable type of bird that she named "Chickie." One day her mother called me and said that my niece had something to tell me.

"I killed my Chickie."

I asked what happened, and she confessed, "I didn't do what my mother asked and I hugged her too hard."

I believe she was five or six at the time. One thing my brother and his wife instilled in their children is a sense of honesty and responsibility. What we see in my nephews and niece is what we get, even to this day.

Are they perfect? No. Who is? When you learn where family, food and fun really come from, you're more apt to appreciate it and use it well. Will they have further challenges? Yes. But I believe that my brother and his wife input valuable lessons into our nephews and niece that will bless them in times to come.

My brother passed away ten years ago this year. I don't say this to get pity or make people sad. I only say this because he knew his time was short, as his wife once told me. They made the time count by instilling in their children what they needed while they were younger, and while there was no doubt about what they were teaching them and why.

Education and wealth are great tools for sure, but they can be gods running our lives if we aren't grounded in the real, and that's God who gives life, family, food and fun.

It's a simple take, but it has to be for people to understand it unmistakeably. The Gospel of Jesus is not an intellectual exercise. It's life. And when Christ captures us as He unmistakeably has captured the Robertson's and my brother's family, the rest of life can be sorted out given time, inner grit and patience all bathed in love.

My sister and her family are doing some similar things to keep their children grounded in what's real and true. Are they perfect? No. But the children are being given the best experience their parents can give them now, that they may have firmer feet to stand on later in life.

And somehow I believe they will succeed.

Andreia, here's to you, sis, for the wonderful work you have done mothering your own "duck dynasty." And to you Kim for keeping Richard's legacy alive in the great job you do with your children. I love you all very much!