Transitions and Rubber Duckies

My kids were always fascinated that they couldn’t sink their rubber ducky. Regardless of how hard they pushed it to the bottom of the tub or how long they sat on it, the toy resurfaced. It’s the law of the rubber ducky!

This law applies to life transitions. Transitions, like rubber duckies, involve feelings which will surface no matter how hard we try to keep them down! Ignoring what is lost in an effort to move forward sounds good but it isn’t healthy emotionally. We can’t truly embrace the new without saying good-by to what is gone.

Not long ago I failed to grieve some transitions and became overburdened emotionally. Each change seemed small, but they built up, eventually becoming a huge pile of loss. Finally, at a spiritual retreat
the leader suggested that we sit silently before God and hold our losses and hurts in his presence, grieving them. I began to recognize the extent of my pain from the loss of friends, disappointments, unanswered prayers, and changed circumstances. I poured them out each day before God until I accepted what was new.

The lament psalms gave me a pattern to follow: honestly voice feelings to God and then express faith in his love and care (for example: Ps. 13, 61). They gave me permission to be transparent with God, who already knows our hearts. Grief, hurt, and righteous anger are not signs of spiritual immaturity or lack of faith. Honest prayer reveals trust that God is in control and that he loves us unconditionally.

How have you learned about the law of the rubber ducky? Make a list of the hurts and losses you have experienced, and open up your heart before God to grieve them.