As a Father, I am Called to Strong, Faithful Leadership…And I Wish I Could Pull That Off Better

As we approach Father’s Day, we are reminded of the unique responsibility and privilege that fathers carry. It’s not just a day for gifts and well-wishes. It is also a moment to reflect on the calling of fatherhood, as we see it deeply grounded in Scripture and the example of our Heavenly Father.

The role of a father is no small thing. In a world where leadership is often misunderstood or diluted, the biblical model calls fathers to something far more significant: faithful leadership that shapes and nurtures hearts toward Christ.

The Scripture is clear that fathers are to lead their children, not just in instruction but in discipleship. That means walking with them, modeling integrity, and showing them what it means to love the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This is a clear and weighty charge, even somewhat intimidating.

Fathers are called to be steadfast, wise, and loving guides. It is not about being perfect (because we aren’t) but about being consistent and intentional. It’s about leading with humility, grace, and a commitment to the truth of God’s Word.

Fatherhood is not a passive role. It’s an active one. It demands presence, patience, and a daily willingness to pour love and wisdom into those in our care.

It’s not about avoiding mistakes; it’s about being quick to repent when we fall short and showing our children what it looks like to seek forgiveness and restoration. Leading with authenticity and vulnerability teaches them more about God’s grace than perfection ever could.

But let’s be honest, fatherhood can feel overwhelming. For many, this day brings up not just gratitude but feelings of inadequacy, regret, or even failure.

Maybe you feel like you’ve let your children down, or you’re struggling to be the father you know you ought to be. Maybe you’ve made mistakes, or you’ve been far from the example you wish you had set.

If that’s you, I want to speak a word of hope today. There is no perfect father…except our Heavenly Father, of course.

In the gospel, we find not only forgiveness for our past messes but also the strength to move forward in grace and growth. God’s Word is clear that His mercies are new every morning, and His love for us is unchanging (Lamentations 3:22-23).

In Christ, you are not defined by your failures but by His finished work on the cross. He took your sins upon Himself so that you could experience a restored relationship with God and, by His grace, with your children.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” That means the work God has started in you as a father is not finished. Even if you feel you’ve missed the mark, God is still working in you.

There is hope for change, hope for growth, hope for a deeper relationship with your children, and hope for healing where wounds have been caused.

Fatherhood is a journey of grace. It’s about being present, acknowledging your mistakes, and growing in humility and wisdom.

And it’s about learning to trust in God’s transformative power to make you the father He calls you to be, one step at a time.

For Those Who Have Been Hurt: Finding Healing and Extending Grace

Father’s Day is not just a time of celebration for those who are fathers or who have had amazing fathers, but it can also bring up painful memories for those who have experienced the deep hurt of absent, imperfect, or even abusive fathers.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a father’s mistakes or even sins, you may struggle with feelings of anger, bitterness, or disappointment. It’s difficult to honor a father who has hurt you or failed to live up to his calling.

But here’s the truth: God’s grace is sufficient for you. His love is greater than any father’s failure. You are not defined by the wounds that have been inflicted on you but by the unshakable love of a Heavenly Father who sees you, knows you, and has poured out His mercy on you.

Psalm 68:5 calls God a “father to the fatherless,” and this truth can bring healing to those who have felt abandoned or unloved. Jesus Himself, on the cross, calls out to His Father, showing us that no matter how much human fatherhood falls short, our Father in heaven will never fail us. He welcomes us into His embrace, offering healing, comfort, and a new identity.

To those who carry the pain of a broken relationship with your earthly father, there is healing in Christ.

He can mend the brokenness in your heart and help you see that your value does not come from a human father’s approval but from being created in God’s image and adopted into His family (Ephesians 1:5).

But healing is not just about receiving. It is also about extending grace. As we are forgiven in Christ, we are called to forgive.

This is not easy, and it doesn’t mean excusing or minimizing the hurt that has been done. It means acknowledging the pain, bringing it before God, and asking Him to help you extend grace.

This may look like letting go of bitterness, seeking reconciliation if possible, or simply finding peace in your heart, even when the relationship remains broken.

Father’s Day can be a time of healing as you acknowledge the pain, but also recognize that in Christ, you are not left without a Father. He is the perfect Father, who never leaves nor forsakes you. And He will equip you to extend grace, even when it feels impossible.

This Father’s Day, whether you are a father, a son, or a daughter, let’s remember the hope we have in our Heavenly Father.

For fathers striving to live faithfully, for children struggling with wounds, and for all of us seeking grace, there is hope, there is healing, and there is a Father who loves us with an everlasting love.

Happy Father’s Day.