Do you find yourself grappling with the realities of fatherhood? Are you seeking guidance on how to break the cycle of a strained relationship with your own father? Look no further, because we believe that being a good father starts with being a good son. Similar to the Prodigal Son, who left his Father’s house only to return home seeking forgiveness and redemption, our relationship with our Heavenly Father can help us break free, heal, and grow into the fathers we aspire to become.
In this episode of the Leveraging Success Podcast, Rob Dayton and I delve into a topic that’s close to our hearts: the importance of fatherhood. I reflect on a lesson from my father about the importance of being a good son to become a good father, tying it to the spiritual relationship with God. Rob emphasizes seeing God as a loving Father and the deep psychological influence a father’s words can have. We also underscore the complex responsibilities of a father and the lasting effects on their children’s growth and well-being.
Join us for this heart-to-heart as we unpack the multifaceted role of a father and the ripple effect our actions and attitudes have on our children’s lives. It’s a conversation filled with personal reflections and practical advice for all the dads out there striving to create a loving and supportive family environment.
In This Episode
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[00:02:21] – The impact of troubled relationships with fathers
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[00:04:23] – Understanding the concept of God as a Father
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[00:06:55] – Lessons from the parable of the Prodigal Son
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[00:09:18] – The balance between grace and truth in fatherhood
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[00:10:27] – Psychological impact of father’s words on sons
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[00:20:38] – Reflection on the impact of a father’s passing
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[00:22:54] – Prioritizing your spouse above your children
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[00:23:59] – The father as the family’s emotional thermostat
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[00:25:11] – Generational impact on growth and development
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[00:30:27] – Importance of physical affection, encouragement, and vision
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[00:32:11] – Defining boundaries: Right and Wrong
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[00:32:59] – Backing children in their endeavors
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[00:33:48] – Writing letters as a tool for reinforcement and reflection
Notable Quotes
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[00:03:19] “My fatherhood or my ability to be what I think is a productive, intentional, spirit-filled father, is based on how I am as a son to my Heavenly Father.” – Jeff
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[00:14:30] “Our father is so in favor of us that when we make advances, even though we have to do three steps forward, two steps back, he’s cheerleading and excited about our future.” -Rob
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[00:21:20] “That’s the intentional work that we want to do as fathers, to look at our kids and say, ‘What do they need? How can I give them what they need so that they’re going to be stimulated and grow to the right level?’”- Jeff
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[00:22:19] “You need to see your partner as more important and you’re more dedicated to her or him than you are to your kids.” – Rob
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[’00:26:07] “As fathers, we are rewriting those bad things from the past as they get transferred down. The Kingdom of God is constantly expanding, and our opportunity as dads is to take a generational thing that’s going through our lines and make it conform to Christ, conform it to a kingdom of love.” – Rob
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[00:25:34] “We have to be very self-aware of ‘how is my father showing up?’ and how I need the oxygen mask myself to make sure I’m showing up correctly for them now.” – Rob
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[00:27:04] “Comparison is the enemy of joy. And I say it to remind myself, as much as I might coach it, to remember to not compare.” – Jeff
Resources & Links
Jeff Gerhardt
Rob Dayton
Resources
