Every Fall I begin one of my favorite Winter hobbies. I quit shaving and let my beard grow. I usually keep it on about a 4 or 5 on the beard trimmer setting. Last year, I decided that I wanted to let it grow without trimming. After lovingly convincing Crystal this was going to be fun, I put the trimmers away and let it grow. Remember, this was September!

In October, I decided to give a new T.V. show that everyone had been talking about a look. I flipped to A&E and watched my first episode of Duck Dynasty! I immediately found out what all the press and popularity was about! It was hilarious and became a favorite of mine. Remember, this was October!

Well, it has now been 9 months of beard growth. The beard is coming along nicely and my wife actually seems to like it. But, with the joy of beard growth has come a problem that has started to drive me crazy! Everyone thinks I am growing my beard to try to be like the Robertsons. Here are few examples:

“Good morning uncle Si!” (from a long time friend at the gym several times, including this morning).
“Hey Duck Dynasty guy” (from a Scott County Deputy while I was doing chaplain duty last week).
“You trying to be on Duck Dynasty?” (9,000 people during the month of May).

And the examples go on! Let me be clear, my beard has NOTHING to do with my love of Duck Dynasty! Okay, so with this being said, I started thinking: “How come no one ever ask me, ‘Hey, are you trying to be like Jesus?'”. Why doesn’t my life raise speculation that I am striving to do everything possible to live Christ-like? I mean, I have never been accused of having a heart like Jesus, only a beard like Jase.

So, as my beard journey continues, I am sure the “Duck Dynasty” comments will continue. I will continue to grin and accept the recognition of having a sweet beard! But, as my Christian journey continues, I hope to seek after Jesus and let Him been even more visible, more amazing, more life changing than a Robertson beard!

1 John 2:6 – “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked”
1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ”
1 Peter 2:21 – “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”