Recently, I was reminded of an old friend of the family who passed away many years ago. He was a wonderful pastor. He became a mentor for Sara and a wonderful example for me. He was organized, and he believed in following process and procedures. Our friend had a phrase that he used all the time --“get all your ducks in a row.” In fact, I was thinking of him because someone had used those words.Although the origin of the phrase is somewhat obscure, many believe that “ducks in a row” comes from the world of bowling. In one variation of the game, the pins are known as duckpins. Before each bowl, the players must ensure that the pins are set up appropriately - “ducks in a row.” The words have come to mean paying attention to detail and ensuring that things are in their proper place.
In the church, we have a word for “getting your ducks in a row.” We call it “stewardship.” As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. We have God to thank for our talents, our time, our money and our relationships. We should pay attention to God's priorities as we try to get the details right. Instead of hoarding our talents, we use them for the love of God and of neighbor. We spend time with those in need. We build good relationships. We use our money to support the church's worship and ministry. We plan and prepare.
Sometimes in my life, “getting your ducks in a row” seems more like “herding cats.” If we aren't careful, our stewardship can devolve into a chore or a stressful burden. We should take the time to realize that God is not dependent on our imperfect efforts. Instead, every opportunity to serve and to give is a loving response to the love given to us by God (1 John 4:19). We care about the details, “getting our ducks in a row,” because God has cared about us.
