Wednesday, March 12, 2014

WHERE Are My Ducks????

WHERE Are My Ducks?????  Silly title?  Well, bear with me................years ago, I would often say to my husband that I needed to get "my ducks in a row" and then I would be all set. 

 I liked having my "ducks in a row". I liked feeling "on top" of things. 

 I had my lists and checked them often and loved marking off items as I completed them. I felt efficient, purposeful and orderly. It was great!

When I got married and started having children, there were more "ducks" to tend to and I had to work harder and harder, but I was determined to keep that orderly row of ducks.....

I handled the messes, the extra work and the fun- and just kept tending to the increasing number of ducks.

If things got overwhelming, I would make a new list or two and work really hard, lose sleep if necessary,  and get all of those ducks back into a "row".  It felt good.

 Often I would notice someone with their disorderly life and then look with pride at all my ducks in a row and think to myself that if they just used "my system", then their ducks would all be in a row also.

 Then, my "ducks" started acting up. They resisted my efforts to keep them in a row. My responsibilities continued to increase.... husband, children, medical problems for one child, doctor appointments, medical procedures that I had to perform for my son, making many quarts of sterilized water, keeping medical charts for my son, trying desperately to keep my son alive, living on an extremely tight budget, eating healthy, gardening, etc, etc.
  
Pretty soon, I had so many ducks....that I couldn't even find all of them!


It seemed that everywhere I looked, there were more ducks, and they were not at all in a row.

Panic set in..........I tried to find all of the ducks and put them in the best order that I could......I would be so glad to finally be a bit more organized.....then all of a sudden, there would be ducks in other places again.

Everywhere I looked, there were ducks.................WHAT was I supposed to do?  I used to LIKE ducks.......but now, it felt like the ducks were taking over. My responsibilities started to feel overwhelming......

I would find ducks wherever I looked....on a shelf that needed to be dusted, in a sink of more dirty dishes, the laundry hamper, another meal to make, kids wanting a snack, more papers to grade, needing to spend quality(?) time with my husband, being a good friend to others, gardening, bushes to be trimmed, and more and more and more.


I still kept my lists............but instead of helping me...........they oppressed me and I felt I was a slave to them.

 I wanted a  break from all of the "Duck Management Issues"......I was tired......I was weary.....and I was starting to dislike.........ducks.

Here, there and everywhere.................


Those wonderful ducks.....weren't so wonderful anymore. Where I used to feel like I could be Mrs. Wonderful Wife, Supermom, Great Teacher and more..........I started feeling unable to do anything, except try to corral a few ducks....if they let me. 

 I started to feel like I was a failure....and wondered if others noticed my messy ducks. I felt embarrassed, knowing that I had been critical of others, and feeling the criticism of my current "Chaotic Duck Status".



The ducks continued to show up, seeming to mock me with their presence in so many places. 


I sadly noticed all the ducks....knowing I couldn't control them...........I just had too much to do.

Finally, I had a thought......

Knowing that God won't give me more than I can handle..................and I couldn't handle all of my "ducks" anymore................I figured out that I must be trying to take care of more "ducks" than God intended for me. 
 What a thought! The issue became.....trying to figure out which "ducks" God wanted me to keep track of.............and which ones had to go.

That was/is a LOT harder than it sounds......there are so many "ducks" (responsibilities) that I cannot get rid of......... and some that I like to keep on my list.

First of all, I repented of my prideful spirit....and humbled myself before the Lord.....asking Him to do a mighty work in my life.....
...........and I am looking for those things that I am doing in my flesh....rather than in the spirit.  I am asking God to show me what things to let others do and what things don't need to be done at all. Then I am trying to honor Him with my responsibilities and not "faint" under them.

My husband and a son have been willing to buy groceries if I give a list......I have taught different children to make certain treats...shortbread, butterscotch bars, etc. My older daughter makes many meals and sometimes bread and does most of the laundry. I still have plenty to keep me busy- really busy.....and the others in my home are not mad at helping me.....in fact, they need to be involved more.....


So, anyway, I took off my SUPERMOM cape and put it in the give away pile......... but then I realized that NO MOM should try to be SUPERMOM, so I took it out of the giveaway pile and put it in the trash where it belongs.

We need to encourage each other to be all that GOD wants us to be....and no more.

If I come to your house and see some of your ducks in odd places, I will give you grace.....and I hope you will give me grace.....and give grace to other sisters also. We can encourage each other to keep important things at the top of our list. We don't need to compete WITH each other.....we each serve the Lord Jesus Christ and encourage each other. Sure, we can have a schedule and be orderly - God is a God of order...........but we should never obsess over it.


I have come to realize that my ducks won't always be in a row, and I really appreciate when they are.....................



............or at least when I can find them......:) 


Thank you for visiting today.........I need to go check on my "ducks".   :)









Shared on.....................



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56 comments:

  1. This is terrific. I miss having all my ducks in a row - and would love to get them back!

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    1. Thank you......nice to have someone who understands the whole duck issue. :)

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  2. Awesome. I find I have trouble when I am trying to tend to me ducks in my own strength. SO I have to be careful I am not trying to take on too many ducks and also that I'm not trying to do it without God.

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    1. I agree - so easy to taking care of those "ducks" all on our own....always destined to fail if we do. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  3. I know the "duck" problem all too well (btw, absolutely loved your post and the pictures). My "ducks" used to have to line up in perfectly ordered lines all the time or I'd get upset and not sleep as well, though sometimes for days. Part of my OCD which I've struggled with. I found, as you did, that God only wanted me to have so many "ducks" not all these "ducks" I'd taken onto myself. I still struggle with wanting them in a row but at least now I'm mostly* content when I can simply see them.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for visiting today..... :)

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  4. Minus the severe health issues, I could have written this post. I, however, am blessed with a form of perfectionism that works in reverse. If I can't have things perfect, then I'm ok with them not being done at all. So, my ducks are either lined up amazingly or an impossibly cluttered disaster. Enjoyed this post so much I shared your link.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for sharing my link. We all have those pesky "duck" issues. :)

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  5. I hope you have more calmness now...try to find the good moments in each day. ..they will be your memories when you have an empty nest.

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    1. There is certainly more peace in figuring out what ducks to get rid of and resting in serving God....instead of trying to be perfect. :)

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  6. LOL Love it. The serious part and the cute part. I have duck issues too. Where are my ducks and which ducks are mine!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for this very encouraging comment! I'm afraid we probably all have some sort of "duck" issue. sigh. :)

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  7. Lol! Love this! I'm a lover of ducks in their rows. I'm slowly but surely learning it's ok to have them waddle their own way as well! ;) Thank you! Gotta quack!

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  8. Enjoyed the post. Another ducks in a row person and lover of lists. But true it can all get to run our lives instead of God running our lives. Hopped over from Thoughtful Thursday.

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  9. I love my list too and I have way too many of them. Great post! cathyzpeek.com

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  10. We all laughed at your story because of those pesky ducks. We all know the truth behind the ducks. A wonderful visual lesson. Blessings, Linda http://bushelandapickle.com

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    1. Thank you.... We all have those "ducks"! :) Thank you for visiting and for the fun comment. :)

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  11. What a cute and relate-able way to get the message across. This was so cute.
    Blessings,

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    1. Thank you.... I was hoping others would understand my intention and word pictures. :) I am glad you visited.

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  12. This was great! It is so hard to let go of those ducks sometimes, but it seems when we do, sometimes they just float right back again! I totally relate. I have lists for my lists and it drives me nuts. Time to find some good duck recipes. Thanks for the fun encouragement!

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    1. I love the "Time to find some good duck recipes."!!!! That made me chuckle. :) I also understand about those ducks floating back... and I think it will be an ongoing thing. Thank you for visiting and for your fun comment. :)

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  13. Too, too cute!
    Hope to see you sharing at this week's Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday):
    http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/04/cat-on-ladder.html

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    1. Thank you! :) So glad to get to know you through the blog hops. :)

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  14. Lol, What a great twist on the "Elf" love it!!!

    Thanks for visiting to share on The Oh My Heartsie Girls today!!
    Have a great week! Karren

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  15. What a cute analogy! I really enjoyed reading it. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sometimes can't find all my ducks let alone get them in a row without going "quackers" :)

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    1. What a fun comment! I am so glad you stopped by. Thank you. :)

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  16. My dear friend, how I enjoyed this post! It made me giggle, but it also made me stop and think about my "ducks." I am like you and like things to be orderly and when I start getting too much on my plate I feel very overwhelmed and tend to get discouraged. This was an excellent post....very encouraging :) Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie... it always brightens my day to read your sweet comments! I am afraid I still haven't conquered my "duck issues", but at least I am aware of them and am working on them more often now! :) I think it will be something I will continue working on all of my life. :)

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  17. Such a clever way to share the burden we often put on ourselves of being perfect!!! Oh how I understood this Joy!!! Thank you for the encouragement!!! :)

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    1. I am so glad... when I wrote it, I wasn't sure if others would "get it" and understand what I was saying... I love it that so many have... it sure is an issue that needs constant attention in my life! :)

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  18. That was a clever awesome post thank you.
    Kathleen
    Fridays Blog Booster Party

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  19. This is so clever! Thank you for linking up to Idea Box!

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    1. Thank you... sometimes the oddest little things make sense and help us make a point. :)

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  20. Honestly, I love the style in which this post was written. It took a very relatable issue for us moms and made it a pleasure to read. Thanks so much for the blessing and encouragement. Thank you so much for sharing with TGI Saturdays. Hope you can drop by for a visit this weekend. Blessings to you, have a great week.

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    1. I love your comment!! Your sweet and encouraging words were wonderful to read! :) It is an issue that I think many of us struggle with... thank you so much for visiting.

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  21. Thanks for the wonderful analogy. The title caught my attention because my 19-mo-old granddaughter loves ducks. I could imagine her ducks scattered everywhere (& trying to capture them while she's still playing with them.) I would like to use this as a devotional for our Ladies' Bible study.

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    1. That's a great idea for your Bible study... I hope it goes wonderfully well! Thank you for your visit and your fun comment. :) Your granddaughter sounds sweet and fun. :)

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  22. I LOVE this and all the pictures to go with it! Thanks for posting this. It is very encouraging and I know so many of us can relate! Thanks for sharing at the Friday at the Fire Station link-up!
    Jen

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    1. Thank you for the kind comment... I did want to be encouraging and I know there are so many expectations of us that it can be overwhelming. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  23. Love love love this post from one failed duck-trainer to another!

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    1. I LOVE your comment too! :) Thank you so much for letting me know I am not the only one with duck issues!

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  24. Very nice. It is something that I have to remember in my life. Thank You.

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    1. You're welcome... it is so easy to get over burdened with "ducks"!

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  25. Joy, What a cute post. Love the way you used the yellow duckies. Have a great day. Sylvia D.

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    1. Thank you! It was a fun way to get the point across. :) Thank you for stopping by.

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  26. What a clever post and your photos are so fun! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!

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  27. What a cute post! I agree that we are not always able to keep our ducks in a row. I am usually quite organized and on top of things, but since helping out with these estate sales I feel like my ducks are wandering all over the place! :) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. My ducks tend to do that too.... :) Thank you for visiting.

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