The Father’s Love and Compassion: Leading Our Sons the Way God Leads Us
- meetgodattheedgeof
- Oct 29, 2025
- 3 min read
Luke 15:20
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”
I am blessed to be a father of great kids. I have such joy being a dad. On the days where it’s a little rough, I think back and remember our past, and in seconds, it changes everything.
My son is at that age where he’s coming into his own. He’s super smart — sometimes a little too smart — and with that comes a streak of rebellion. I’ll ask him to do something around the house, and he’ll hit me with an argument rooted in pure laziness. Thank God that’s my upper hand. I don’t want him to grow up lazy.
In truth, my son and I are a lot alike. We both process things in a logical, fact-based way that can be cold and calculated. No emotion, no grace — just “what makes sense.” But the Lord has been working on me for years so that I can better lead my son. It’s amazing to see that growth come full circle.
He’s quick to get heated, and sometimes, it gets pretty intense. It usually ends with me telling him to go cool off. As fathers, we must stay consistent — drawing firm lines where needed and showing grace when led by God. Through the Father’s love and compassion, we gain the discernment to know the difference. When we co-parent with our Heavenly Father, He gives us every word, every response, every ounce of patience we need — all we have to do is obey.
Still, fatherhood can lead to moments of conflict. We can’t avoid them. What matters is that we respond in love. There are times when my son comes to me to apologize, and in that moment, I understand the father in this parable. Seeing my boy trying to make things right makes me want to run to him, grab him, and hold him close. I know how hard it is to swallow pride and say, “I’m sorry.” That takes strength and maturity.
When I see him standing there, I remember the little boy I used to swing around. Now he’s almost as tall as I am. Time goes fast, and these moments remind me that a father’s love and compassion shape the kind of man our sons become.
Dads who follow the Lord are their sons’ hope for the future. What we teach, show, and live out becomes what they remember. It doesn’t matter how old your children are — that responsibility never fades. It’s heavy, yes, but we don’t carry it alone. Lean into your Heavenly Father daily. Ask Him for wisdom and strength to lead your family down His narrow path.
Every day is another opportunity to teach, to love, and to live out God’s will. Praise God for entrusting us with the calling of fatherhood.
Thank You, Father, for another day. Amen.
Luke 15:21–24
“His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
