“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!” Ephesians 3:20-21
It’s “Duck Dynasty: The Last Call” as A&E is titling this last and final season. Our first episode aired March 21, 2012, and our series finale will air this Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Five years! Where has the time gone? Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe the ride we’ve experienced. My head and heart are so full of hundreds of stories and emotions that I want to share with you, but summing up this chapter of our lives in one article is going to be extremely difficult. No one could have predicted or remotely expected the impact that a normal American family (well, somewhat normal) could have on literally millions of people. Please understand that this is not a way to brag on our achievements. Quite the contrary. I am writing to show just what God has done through a bunch of people who found each other, committed to their spouses, fought through numerous hardships, disappointments and battles and continue to hold on tight to our hope in Jesus Christ.
When the very first producers came to visit us at Phil and Kay’s house in the spring of 2011 to discuss the possibility of this show, most of us were very open to it. However, Phil and Jase both had major reservations. Jase spoke up, “I’m just not sure how this is going to work. The reality television I know about thrives on drama, discord, fighting, lewd behavior and cursing. As Christians, we strive to live exactly the opposite.” The producers told us that they had seen enough on our previous series, “Benelli Presents: Duck Commander” on The Outdoor Channel to take a chance on us. After the producers left, we had a long family meeting discussing the pros and cons of this new venture. How would this change our lives? What if it actually was successful (1% of pilots make for a successful first season of television)? How will this effect our children on a daily basis? Will we be able to stick together as a family? And most of all, how can we stay true to our Christian values? This was going to take much dedication from each and every one of us. We decided to go for it. Phil prayed after our decision and asked God for wisdom as we moved forward. He also asked God to hold us accountable. I’ll never forget him saying, “Father, if you see that we are not using this opportunity for your glory, take it away.”
Wow, what a statement!
The above scripture is one I have been able to recite by heart for over 30 years. I actually learned it as a song in church youth group. However, it has never meant more to me than over the last five years. The most powerful way has been through my prayer life. I used to talk to God about things I was only aware about. That’s seems plausible, right? How can you talk to someone about something you have no indication of? Read that scripture again. It’s not our power. It’s His. We can’t even imagine what God can do in our lives. If we can’t imagine it, how can we even talk to Him about it? My prayers changed from, “God, fix this or that” and “help me with this and that” to “use me however you can” and “God, I’m open to whatever opportunities you send me, just keep me on track to glorify you”. God has no limits, so why was I limiting him? Not anymore. If God can do what he did with our crazy family, I can’t wait to see what he does next. It’s actually quite exciting!
From morning talk shows, to hosting awards shows, to presenting an award live at the CMT’s, to making our very own platinum-selling Christmas album (eek!), to filming episodes in beautiful Hawaii and Scotland, to finishing runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, to writing books, to walking red carpets, to designing clothing lines to encourage modesty and class, to launching a jewelry business to help women coming out of addiction and sex trafficking, to starting charities to promote adoption and help children born with cleft lip and palate, to adding 5 new family members (2 by adoption and 3 by marriage) to appearing in almost 12 million homes in one given night, to speaking in front of hundreds of thousands of people in the hopes they will give their lives to Christ. These are only a few of the things God has used for his glory through our family over the past 5 years.
No one could have predicted even one of these things.
But God knew all along.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
One last thing I want to say is “thank you”.
Thank you to our fans for watching us each week. Without you, there would be no Duck Dynasty.
Thank you for supporting us when we speak up for Christian values.
Thank you for supporting the Mia Moo Fund and ultimately cleft children born in the US.
Thank you for praying for our family.
On that initial day with the producers at Phil and Kay’s house, we gathered around Kay’s kitchen island with food covering every square inch, put our arms around each other and bowed our heads while Phil lead us in prayer. After the prayer, one of the producers asked, “Do you always do this, or is this special just for us?”. We laughed. Yes, we always do this. Yes, we always pray to our Almighty Creator before we eat. Yes, we eat together quite often. No, this is not a special occasion. He then said, “I think we might could use this in the episodes.”
The statement I most hear in my travels is, “Thank you for praying at the end of every episode.” But, you see, the cameras had nothing to do with that part of the show. We may have moved from the kitchen island to a set table with matching plates, matching cups (except Si’s) and tablecloths, but the fact that we pray before each and every meal is not staged, and no producer tells us what to say in those prayers. Thank you to our amazing on-set crew for loving us for these past five years and showing us respect for our values. We will truly miss you.
My last Thank You is to A&E. It was and continued to be their decision to show our family praying, and not just at mealtime but during weddings, when Mia was in the hospital and numerous other occasions. They took a big chance in today’s anti-Christian society to put that on national television and keep it there night after night, even after much controversy. You see, God used them for his glory also. Again, “more than all we can ask or imagine.”
“What will you do next?” is a question I am hearing a lot lately.
Romans 8:28 says, “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.”
Duck Dynasty: The Last Call may be what A&E is titling this end to an era, but we know that our final calling comes from God Almighty. So, I shrug my shoulders and respond, “whatever God calls us to do.”
Have a limitless week!
Catch the final episode of Duck Dynasty on A&E Wednesday, March 29th, 8pm CST!
For more information regarding the Mia Moo Fund or Missy's jewelry line, please visit:
www.miamoo.org
www.laminindesigns.com
Comments
Bev Dillinger:
Thank you to the Robertson family for being willing to bring Glory to God, setting a good example in living a Christ centered life, and bringing people to Him. May God bless you in all you do for Him. My family will miss you very much. Be blessed. Bev Dillinger
Mar 27, 2017
Cindy Horsley :
Omg I’m going to miss you guys so much. I come from a Christian family with Sunday meals together each week. All type of family gatherings. We live in Kentucky so the hunting just put the icing on the cake. I know God is not done with your family but I’m sad and I’m thankful He allowed you guys to be in our homes in Wednesday nights for the last 5 years. God bless the Robertsons.
Mar 27, 2017
Lisa Winchester:
I wanna also say thank you for all that your family does and has done! Ya’ll are a really great family that my son Anthony Jeffrey and I will love from here on out!!! I really hope that this isn’t the last we see of ya’ll on t.v. ! Your show has been a real big part of our lives and we will really miss it. Yes we have all the DVD’s but its not the same knowing it wont be on TV anymore. We will never forget winning the Trip to come to West Monroe to have lunch with you (Missy) and Mrs Kay and your kids. And all the memories we have to cherish for the rest of our lives! I really hope someday that I can come to Mrs. Kay’s “Sweets and Eats” too. We love all of Ya’ll and Martin , Godwin, and Mt. Man and always will. Please if you can please please come back to TV really soon. A true fan always!! God bless !!!
Mar 27, 2017
LeeAnne F.:
Dear Missy,
Saying “thank you” does not seem like it is enough. I don’t have the words to express the gratitude I feel towards your family for bringing me back to God and putting Him first in my life. I remember watching one of the dinner scenes watching Phil pray and I thought to myself, “I have so much to be thankful for. Why don’t I pray anymore? Why have I strayed from the Lord?” I could not think of a reason, but picked up my old Bible and began reading it that night and have not stopped!
I have the utmost respect for Phil, Miss Kay and your entire family. I have Alan’s devotional and have bought it for many, many other people in my life to try and help spread God’s word. I have also read most of the books you and your family have published and every single one of them has inspired me. I introduced my nieces to Sadie, a wonderful role model for teenage girls growing up in this difficult world. The organizations and charities you have set up are clear examples of God’s work; always helping others.
Thank you for all you have done in my life and in the lives of others. You are very special people and I will continue to pray for blessings on you all!!
With much love,
LeeAnne
Mar 27, 2017
Lisa Ashley :
I just want to thank you all for staying true to our Creator. My husband and I both had surgery in 2012. What we thought would be a routine surgery for him turned in to a very serious life threatening condition that left him disabled at 48 years old. He acquired an infection in a knee replacement surgery – one that is hard to cure called serratia. As a result he had to have iv antibiotics for months at a time – several times during the last five years. Plus multiple surgeries. He will be on antibiotics indefinitely to suppress the infection unless God intervenes. While we we recovering we found your show. It was the only time I would see him smile or relax. We started recording the show and would replay the episodes over and over. We are strong Christian’s and loved the message the show was sending to the world. I applude A&E for letting you be you! We are to be salt and light. I think my most memorable episode was the one where Phil broke down and wept while praying over the home y’all gave to your friend – Thressa Lewis. I saw his huge generous heart and I wept with him! I’m very sad to see the show end. I pray y’all will do new things because there is not much entertainment for Christian’s these days. I was comfortable leaving the tv on duck dynasty more so than a cartoon for my 2 year old grandson. I knew it would be safe….noadays you can’t even trust cartoons!! Thanks to all the Robertson’s and friends for making our lives a little brighter during a very hard and dark time in our lives. May Almighty God continue to pour out blessings on your family and use you mightily in His Kingdom. We love you all like family. It has broke our hearts to hear the show will end. With tears rolling down my face – many many thanks!
Lisa Ashley – Mississippi
Mar 27, 2017
Stephanie Letchworth :
Thank you for such a moving post and for sharing your family with us over these last few years. Working in a family business myself, our family has always felt a kindred spirit to yours that only those with a similar background understand. It is the best of times and sometimes even the worst of times. You guys have always been an encouragement to me. I have enjoyed sitting down each week with my husband and (now) 14 and 11 year old and getting quality, wholesome entertainment that reflected our faith and morals. I wish I could put into words what your entire family means to mine. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough. Continued blessings on you and yours. God bless!
Mar 27, 2017
Patricia Fritz:
To say thank you to ALL of you just seems so trivial . From the bottom of my heart & deepest depths of my soul THANK YOU ! For everything that your family went thru to show us how to live in God’said word and purpose . For dealing with those that couldn’t open their hearts to your truth , and to our fathers . You’ve all blessed so many in ways you’ll never know . You brought back the love of family traditions , Love of faith , Love of one another , weather it was though marriage , friendships, siblings , hardships even.
Most of all you brought us back to what is true & real in this world. Something so simple in life that alot of us forgot to incorperate in our everyday lives … FAITH & FAMILY ?
I BELIEVE that no matter what lies ahead for you all, it will be done with grace love & laughter. And fueled with God’s everlasting Love .
Our house will surely miss the greatest t.v show / family ever to be aired .
Praying that someday and soon , by the grace of God that my husband & I can make a trip to Monroe Louisiana. And maybe sit and have a cup of Joe & a sweet treat made by Miss Kay . And a prayer & maybe a blessing . This girl could use a few right about now .
MAY THE LORD CONTINUE HIS LOVE & GRACE IN ALL THAT YOU DO …
PRAYERS ALWAYS & FOREVER
AMEN
Mar 27, 2017
Amy Jaeger :
I would like to say one last time, Thank you for letting us (the fans) be a part of the family. That’s the way it felt every episode. I know it couldn’t have been easy, but y’all did it with class. Never forsaking your beliefs and convictions because of liberal bullying. I know wherever you go from here will be in service to our Lord and Savior. God bless you all and I hope we see you again. Much love.
Mar 27, 2017
Cindi Clarke:
Thank you Missy and The Robertson Family. We are grateful beyond words. There are less than five fingers that I can count, of shows that moved me the way DD has. We will miss your show, but it would be selfish to expect you to continue. God Bless and Thank You for making the world see how GREAT GOD IS ALWAYS!!! ???❤️(Had to throw some emojis in for your Dad:)
Mar 27, 2017
Matthew burden:
God bless you Missy and your whole family.starting as a young teenager with divorced parents then my mother getting breast cancer you guys brought me closer to god.before I saw the show I didn’t know Jesus.I knew I needed him but seeing the show made me realize. Weather you believe it or not you guys helped me with my depression and anxiety. The good clean family friendly humor is what we need.thank you so so much from the bottom of my heart. Hopefully one day I have the privilege to thank you in person.
,Matthew
Mar 27, 2017
Leave a comment