Fatherhood Doesn’t Require a Manual, Just Our Heavenly Father

Let’s be real, nobody gives you a user manual when you become a dad. You don’t walk out of the hospital with a baby in one hand and a step-by-step playbook in the other. And yet, fatherhood is one of the most important, challenging, and sacred roles a man will ever step into.

You’re expected to lead, protect, love, discipline, provide, listen, and somehow not mess it all up. The pressure is real. And fresh off Father’s Day, maybe you’ve felt that tension more than usual.

But here’s the truth: You don’t need a manual. You need the Father.

Join me on the True Man Podcast for a powerful episode titled “Fatherhood Doesn’t Require a Manual, Just Our Heavenly Father.” You don’t have to have it all figured out to lead your family well, you just need to follow the One who created you to lead.  truemanpodcast.com

God Didn't Leave You Without a Model

Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Your child is a gift, not a burden. Fatherhood isn’t about being perfect,  it’s about pursuing your child’s heart the way God pursues yours.

Whether you’re a new dad, a seasoned father of grown kids, or a man who hopes to be a father one day, this truth remains: You’re not doing this alone. Your Heavenly Father walks with you, guides you, strengthens you, and gives you the blueprint in His Word.

A Story That Changed a Father's Direction

Let me share a story.

A man named Kevin didn’t grow up with a father in the house. His dad walked out when he was 8. So when his son, Tyler, was born, he promised himself: “I’ll do better. I’ll show up.”

But life got busy. Work piled up. Church responsibilities grew. And Tyler slowly started pulling away. Fewer conversations. Less laughter.

One day, Kevin missed Tyler’s baseball game. Just one more thing on the long list of “I’ll make it next time.” That night, Tyler gave a simple answer when asked how the game went: “It was fine.”

But Kevin felt it. Something was off.

He asked his wife, “Do you think I’ve been there for him?”

She replied, “You’ve been around. But I don’t think he feels like you’ve been with him.”

The next day, Kevin drove to that empty baseball field and sat on the bench behind home plate and cried. Right there, in the quiet, God convicted him. And from that moment forward, Kevin rearranged his life. He started showing up not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Years later, Tyler was asked, “Who’s your hero?”

He said, “My dad, because when I needed him to turn around, he did.”

Ten Ways to Be a Better Dad, Right Now!

You don’t need to have it all figured out. But you do need to show up and lead with intention. Here are 10 simple but powerful ways to be the kind of father your child needs:

1. Be Present. Not just in the room, but engaged. Put down the phone. Listen with your eyes and ears.

2. Live With Integrity. Your life is the example. Be honest. Be strong. Be a man worth imitating.

3. Honor Their Mother. Whether you're together or not, speak with respect. Show your kids how to treat others with dignity.

4. Delight in Your Kids. Laugh. Celebrate. Be goofy. Let them feel your joy just by being around you.

5. Discipline With Love. Discipline isn’t punishment,  it’s training. Set boundaries with grace and consistency.

6. Listen Well. Don’t just lecture. Ask questions. Lean in. Make your home a safe place to talk.

7. Speak Life. Say “I love you.” Say “I’m proud of you.” Don’t let important words go unsaid.

8. Invest Time. Time is your most valuable currency. Make the memories now, you won’t get a do-over.

9. Protect Their Heart. Be their safe place. Create emotional and spiritual security that builds confidence.

10. Support Their Dreams. Don’t live through them. Cheer them on in their calling, even if it’s not the one you would’ve chosen.

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You’re Not Too Late, or Too Early

Maybe you feel like you’ve missed too much. Maybe you’re just getting started. Or maybe you’re in the middle, just trying to hold it together.

Wherever you are, hear this: It’s not too late to be the father your child needs.God’s grace covers what you’ve missed, and His strength empowers what’s ahead.

Fatherhood isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about pointing your family to the One who does.

Final Thought

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present, humble, and willing to grow.

So ask yourself today:

• Am I showing up for my kids?

• Am I leading from a place of strength, or running on empty?

• Am I leaning on my Heavenly Father the way I want my children to lean on me?

The answers to those questions won’t just shape your life, they’ll shape generations.

MEN, YOU WERE MADE TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW!

True Man Life Coaching helps men unpack the goodness that’s already in their heart and discover the True Man inside of them.

Mike Van Pelt, Men’s Life Coach

True Man Life Coaching

LinkedIn:  Mike Van Pelt

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