Yep. I like Duck Dynasty. My son, Mark Jr., introduced me to it. It’s fairly wholesome—doesn’t have the profanity, sex, violence and crudity of many other TV shows.
A&E would like to tell you Duck Dynasty is about money, family and ducks, but if you were to ask any member of the cam-clad, duck-hunting Robertson clan what their motto is, they would say, “Faith. Family. Ducks.” Their faith in God is the foundation upon which their family rests.
The antics of Duck Dynasty are certainly entertaining. Inside jokes and playful banter are marks of their close and loving family.
What I also love is the fact that every episode ends with their family praying around the dinner table. But it hasn’t always been this way.
Long before the Duck Dynasty was created, Phil, the family’s patriarch, kicked his wife and kids out of the house in a drunken rage. Months later, he begged for his family to return.
His wife, Ms. Kay, a sassy Southern lady, agreed to return on the condition that he quit carousing with his rowdy friends and give up drinking altogether. Phil committed to this, but most importantly, he committed to God soon after.
This newfound understanding of life completely changed the Robertson family. They have devoted their lives to living generously. Their business, Duck Commander, made them millions, but they pour money back into helping the less fortunate all over the globe.
To me, Duck Dynasty is primarily about the power of family, the power of forgiveness, the power of faith—and a whole lot of humor, to boot. I encourage you and your kids to watch it together.
And in case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s an interview with Jase Robertson about how his faith keeps him grounded.
Mark Merrill is the president of Family First. For the original article, visit markmerrill.com.
