by Danny Eley | Aug 1, 2023 | Fatherhood, Front Page, Growth
The Genesis of Self-Belief
In the words of the renowned activist and author, Gloria Steinem, “Self-esteem isn’t everything; it’s just that there’s nothing without it.” As fathers, we hold the unique responsibility of nurturing the roots of self-esteem within our daughters. We must ensure these roots grow deep and strong, allowing them to bloom into confident, empowered women. But why is self-esteem crucial for our daughters, and what is the fruit it bears?
Self-esteem is the inner compass guiding our daughters through life. It’s their armor, their mirror, and their magic wand. With it, they are resilient warriors, compassionate nurturers, and visionary leaders. Without it, they are vulnerable to the shadows of doubt, judgment, and negativity.
Seeds of Strength: The Importance of Self-Esteem
Our roles as fathers extend beyond providers to also serve as emotional cultivators. We must sow the seeds of courage, resilience, and self-belief within our daughters. By infusing our girls with self-esteem, we equip them with an impenetrable shield to deflect negativity, criticism, and failure.
Self-esteem is the engine that drives success in all aspects of life. Whether it’s excelling academically, nurturing fulfilling relationships, or pursuing fulfilling careers – self-esteem fuels them all. Girls with high self-esteem are assured decision-makers, innovative problem-solvers, and empathetic influencers. Their faith in their abilities propels them towards their goals fearlessly.
Cultivating Confidence: Raising Self-Esteem in Our Daughters
Fostering self-esteem is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It involves continual encouragement, honest conversation, and exemplary conduct. Here are three steps to initiate this journey:
1. Validate Their Worth: Shower your daughters with love and positivity. Ensure they understand that they are deserving of respect, kindness, and love, from both others and themselves.
2. Encourage Autonomy: Empower your daughters to make decisions, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. This freedom cultivates a sense of competency and resilience, which strengthens their self-esteem.
3. Lead By Example: Show your daughters how to handle failure, stress, and criticism with grace. Remember, your daughters are always observing, and your actions will leave a lasting impact.
Blossoming Benefits: The Power of Self-Esteem
Girls with strong self-esteem navigate life with a sense of assuredness. They view obstacles and failures as stepping stones towards growth. They handle criticism without letting it shatter their self-perception and maintain healthy relationships because they don’t rely on external validation.
Their confidence inspires others, making them natural leaders. Moreover, they are resilient, adventurous, and unafraid to chase their dreams, no matter how lofty. With self-esteem guiding them, they are destined for a fulfilling, prosperous life.
Growing Together: Nurturing Self-Esteem
Fatherhood offers a fresh canvas every day. Let’s wield our brushes to paint a masterpiece of courage, confidence, and self-belief for our daughters. The nurturing of their self-esteem begins with us – their fathers. Let’s cultivate a space that promotes self-worth, bravery, and resilience.
Remember, we are not just raising children – we’re nurturing future leaders, innovators, and difference-makers. It all commences with self-esteem. Let’s pledge to be the gardeners of their confidence, fostering an unwavering belief in themselves. After all, a girl with self-esteem is a girl ready to conquer the world.
#Fatherhood #BuildingSelfEsteem #ConfidenceInDaughters #RaisingLeaders #PositiveParenting #FathersRole #NurturingDaughters #ParentingGoals #EmotionalWellbeing #GirlsSelfEsteem
by Danny Eley | Jul 31, 2023 | Fatherhood, Front Page, Growth
The Building Blocks of Esteem
The revered coach John Wooden once said, “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” Fatherhood embodies this profound sentiment. It’s a challenging yet rewarding voyage, but the destination is the cultivation of a healthy self-esteem within our children. However, why is self-esteem vital for our children? What happens when they grow up understanding their worth? Let’s delve into it.
Self-esteem is the bedrock upon which our children erect their life. A strong sense of self-worth yields an inner fortitude that helps them combat life’s trials, make positive choices, and venture outside their comfort zones. Without it, they are susceptible to the turmoil of self-doubt, peer pressure, and anxiety.
Laying the Foundation: Why Self-Esteem is Vital
Fatherhood is about more than providing for our children materially. We are also their emotional architects, tasked with laying the bricks of self-belief, courage, and resilience. By imbuing our children with self-esteem, we arm them with a mental shield that can deflect negativity, criticism, and failure.
Strong self-esteem is the catalyst for success in every facet of life. From academic achievements to thriving social relationships, to adventurous and fulfilling careers – self-esteem drives all. Children with robust self-esteem are confident decision-makers, effective problem-solvers, and empathetic leaders. Their faith in their abilities propels them towards their ambitions fearlessly.
The Construction Process: Building Self-Esteem
Building self-esteem is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. It’s about consistent encouragement, open dialogue, and setting the right example. Here are three steps to begin the process:
1. Affirm their Worth: Shower your children with love and positivity. Let them know that they are worthy of respect, kindness, and love, both from others and from themselves.
2. Encourage Independence: Allow your children to make decisions, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. This autonomy fosters a sense of competence and resilience, enhancing their self-esteem.
3. Be a Role Model: Lead by example. Show them how to deal with failure, stress, and criticism positively. Your children are always watching, and your actions will leave a lasting impression.
Bridging the Gap: Advantages of Strong Self-Esteem
Children with high self-esteem navigate the world with ease. They aren’t deterred by obstacles or failures; instead, they view them as opportunities for growth. They can handle criticism without it shaking their self-image and maintain positive relationships as they don’t depend on external validation.
Their confidence inspires others, making them natural leaders. Moreover, they are resilient, adventurous, and unafraid of chasing their dreams, no matter how audacious. With self-esteem as their North Star, they are destined for a fulfilling, successful life.
Brick by Brick: Cultivating Self-Esteem
Fatherhood is an art, and each day is a new canvas. Let’s use our brushes wisely to paint a picture of strength, confidence, and self-belief in our children. The building of their self-esteem begins with us – their fathers. Let’s lay the foundation brick by brick, fostering an environment that nurtures self-worth, courage, and resilience.
Remember, we are not just raising children. We’re nurturing future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. And it all begins with self-esteem. Let’s commit to being the architects of their confidence, fostering an unshakeable belief in themselves. Because a child with self-esteem is a child ready to conquer the world.
#Fatherhood #BuildingSelfEsteem #ConfidenceInChildren #RaisingLeaders #PositiveParenting #FathersRole #NurturingChildren #ParentingGoals #EmotionalWellbeing #ChildrensSelfEsteem
by Danny Eley | Jul 26, 2023 | Faith, Fatherhood, Front Page
As fathers, we are the sentinels at the homestead, keeping the home fires burning while we wait for our children’s return, irrespective of where their journeys take them. The Bible offers an invaluable lesson in unconditional love, forgiveness, and paternal compassion through the parable of the Prodigal Son. This age-old story, told by Jesus in Luke 15:11-32, is usually approached from the viewpoint of the repentant son. But let’s shift our focus. What about the father?
This is a tale of a father’s profound love, a love that endured the heartbreak of betrayal and the agony of uncertainty. This parable reflects the challenges every father faces: to love without possession, to wait without despair, and to forgive without conditions.
The Father’s Patience: An Enduring Vigil
A father’s love is a harbor of patience. When the younger son chose to take his share of the estate, the father respected his decision. He must have known the potential pitfalls his son would face, the dangers that lay on the path the son had chosen. But he let him go. It was a daunting test of patience, watching his son wander away, stepping into a world of possible devastation. This isn’t a sign of weakness but of strength – the strength to allow his son to learn, grow, and understand the value of what he had left behind.
There’s a profound lesson here for us. As fathers, it’s our instinct to shield our children from every potential harm. But there are lessons they must learn themselves, journeys they must embark upon, and choices they must make. Patience isn’t about idle waiting. It’s an active process of loving and trusting that they will find their way back when they’re ready.
Welcoming with Open Arms: The Power of Forgiveness
The moment the father spotted his son on the horizon, he didn’t wait for an apology or an explanation. He ran towards him, engulfed him in a loving embrace, and celebrated his return. This act of immediate and unconditional forgiveness is at the heart of fatherhood. He didn’t let past mistakes cloud the joy of his son’s return. Instead, he chose forgiveness and acceptance, celebrating the return of his lost son with open arms and a generous heart.
In our lives, we face similar crossroads. There will be times when our children err, make mistakes, or stray from the path we envisioned for them. It’s in these moments that we need to embrace forgiveness, offer them a safe haven of unconditional love, just like the father in the parable.
The Father’s Love – An Eternal Beacon
The father in the parable was a beacon of unwavering love and unwavering faith. He waited. He hoped. He kept his eyes on the road. When his son returned, he didn’t dwell on the past but focused on the joy of the present and the promise of the future.
As Christian fathers, we are called upon to be this beacon for our children. The journey may be long, the wait may be tiring, and the pain of seeing them falter might be unbearable at times. But we must hold steadfast to our faith, just like the father in the parable, trusting in the Lord’s guidance, and embracing the virtues of patience, forgiveness, and unconditional love.
In the end, the story of the Prodigal Son is more than a tale of repentance and redemption. It’s a narrative of paternal love, a testament to the lengths a father’s love can reach. And just like the father in the parable, we, too, can fill our homes with the light of love, waiting for our children’s return, ready to celebrate their journey home.
#ProdigalSon #ChristianFatherhood #BiblicalLessons #UnconditionalLove #Patience #Forgiveness #FathersLove #PaternalCompassion #Fatherhood #Faith
by Danny Eley | Jul 25, 2023 | Faith, Fatherhood, Front Page
One of the most powerful images of Christian fatherhood is that of a father shielding his child from fiery arrows. This image isn’t just an emotional metaphor; it’s steeped in biblical teachings and truths. Fathers, much like the guardians of old, are called to be the first line of defense against the enemy’s onslaught, standing firm with faith as their armor and love as their weapon.
Ephesians 6:16 reminds us to “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Fathers, your faith is not just your shield—it’s your child’s shield too. Your role is to stand in the gap, to intercept the arrows aimed at your children until they’re strong enough to hold their shields.
The Armor of God: A Father’s Protection
As Christian fathers, you’re called to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). But what does this mean in a practical sense?
Firstly, wearing the armor of God means living righteously and leading by example. Your righteousness, represented by the breastplate, is a demonstration of your faith in action. Your children learn how to live a godly life by watching you.
The helmet of salvation protects your mind. Fathers, it is crucial that you guard your thoughts and foster a positive, Christ-centered mindset. In doing so, you show your children that their thoughts can either be a battlefield or a sanctuary.
Your feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. This means you’re always prepared to guide your children toward peace, helping them navigate the often tumultuous waters of life with the teachings of Jesus.
The sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is your offensive weapon. Teach your children the scriptures. Use God’s word to guide, correct, and encourage them. Remember Proverbs 22:6, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Lastly, the shield of faith. As fathers, your faith shields your children from the fiery arrows of the enemy. When your faith is strong, your shield is impenetrable. You can stand confidently, knowing that God is with you, empowering you to protect your children.
Extinguishing the Flaming Arrows
The ‘flaming arrows’ can represent many things – doubt, fear, temptation, peer pressure, bullying, and the many other challenges children face. These arrows may come fiercely and relentlessly, but remember, a father’s faith is robust and enduring.
When you see your child struggling, step in with prayer. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Use your prayers like a warrior uses his shield—swiftly, confidently, and unyieldingly.
Fathers, it’s also crucial to communicate openly with your children about the ‘arrows’ they’re facing. Encourage them to share their fears and struggles, reinforcing that you’re their ally, ready to stand with them in their battles.
Rise to Your Calling
Being a father is a divine assignment, one that calls you to stand in the gap for your children, shielding them from the enemy’s arrows. It requires courage, faith, and relentless commitment.
Christian fathers, rise to your calling. Don your armor and take up your shields. Stand firm in the face of adversity and let the love for your children be your motivation. Remember, the battle is already won; you just need to stand your ground.
Lastly, do not hesitate to seek God’s guidance in prayer. He is the perfect Father, your ultimate role model. Rely on Him, and He will strengthen you for this glorious task.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
#ChristianFatherhood #ArmorOfGod #ShieldOfFaith #GodlyParenting #PrayerForChildren #SpiritualWarfare #ChristianParenting #FathersProtection #Ephesians6
by Danny Eley | Jul 17, 2023 | Fatherhood, Front Page, Growth, Respect
Let’s cut the bull. If fatherhood feels like a chain around your ankle, if you’re not embracing this life-altering role, you’re shackled by your own immaturity and self-centeredness. Tough pill to swallow? It’s the undiluted truth. No frills, no fluff.
Fatherhood isn’t a joyride. It’s an unforgiving, transformative journey requiring you to put your own wants and needs on the back burner. It’s about commitment, perseverance, and the transition from ‘I’ to ‘we’. If you find yourself sneering at it, it’s high time for a face-off with the man in the mirror. Those feelings of resentment aren’t your child’s fault. They aren’t because your kid is too loud, too clingy, or too reliant. It’s about you. Your character. Your ability to rise above your own desires.
Are you shying away from this reality? Stop right there. This is your wake-up call. It’s time to square up with these hard truths. If you feel suffocated by the onus of fatherhood, it’s a glaring reflection of your hesitation to grow up, to change lanes, to prioritize another human being before yourself.
Still hanging on? Good, because there’s hope. It’s never too late to shift gears and change course. Fatherhood can unlock a profound joy, a sense of purpose that far outlasts momentary pleasures. But to tap into this, you need to level up. Grow up. View fatherhood not as a burden but as a sacred duty. It’s high time you man up and be the father your child needs and deserves.
In the following sections, we’re going to delve deeper into this topic. Strap yourself in. It’s going to be a rocky ride. It won’t be comfortable, but I promise you, it’s going to be worth it. We’ll explore how to foster maturity, how to welcome self-sacrifice, and how to uncover the deep, profound joy of being a committed father. Let’s kickstart this journey.
Caught off guard by the bluntness? That’s the whole idea. We need to shake off the sugar-coating, the societal gloss that’s been painted over the harsh realities of fatherhood. The “dad” role isn’t just about playing catch in the backyard or being the ‘fun’ parent. It’s about becoming a pillar of support, a guiding hand, a role model. It’s about becoming the man your child looks up to, the man they aspire to be.
Frustration, exhaustion, irritation – are these the feelings that come rushing when you think of your role as a father? Guess what – it’s not about the sleepless nights, the endless diaper changes, or the constant demand for attention. It’s about the man in the mirror. It’s about you.
Are you stuck in a loop of blaming your kid for your resentment? Stop right there. It’s not your kid’s job to cater to your needs or to stay quiet because you’re tired. They’re here to live, learn, and grow, just like you. They’re here to pull you out of your shell of immaturity and self-absorption and make you the man you’re meant to be.
The Shift: Maturing and Embracing Self-Sacrifice
You’ve faced the mirror. You’ve taken the hit. Now what? It’s time for a shift – a seismic shift. A shift from immaturity to maturity, from self-centeredness to self-sacrifice. Sounds daunting? It is. But there’s no bypassing this road. You’re in it for the long haul, and there’s no turning back.
Growing up isn’t about the years you’ve got under your belt or the wrinkles lining your face. It’s about how you navigate life, how you respond to change, how you prioritize. It’s about swapping that beer with the boys for bedtime stories with your child, exchanging that mindless weekend football game for teaching your kid to ride a bike.
This is where self-sacrifice steps in. It’s about giving up those late-night parties for early morning school runs, trading your lone wolf status for becoming part of a pack. It’s about pushing your needs aside to cater to your child’s wants. It’s about putting them first, always.
As you grow, you learn that life isn’t just about your desires. It’s about sharing, caring, and bearing responsibility. It’s about making the tough decisions, even when they’re not in your favor. You start valuing sleepless nights, for each one is a testament to your commitment to fatherhood. You start appreciating the constant demand for your attention because it means you’re needed, you’re important. And you wouldn’t trade this importance for anything in the world.
The Reward: Unearthing the Joy in Fatherhood
You’ve faced the truth. You’ve embraced the shift. Now comes the good part – the reward. The profound joy and fulfillment that fatherhood brings. And no, we’re not talking about the temporary happiness you get when your kid scores a goal or when they ace a test. We’re talking about a deep-rooted sense of contentment, a feeling of purpose that makes every sacrifice, every struggle worth it.
Seeing your child grow, witnessing their first steps, their first words, their first day of school – there’s a unique kind of joy in these milestones, a joy that no professional achievement or personal desire can ever match. You realize that every sleepless night, every exhausting day was leading up to this – to these moments of sheer happiness and pride.
This is what fatherhood is all about – a journey of countless challenges, endless sacrifices, and profound joy. It’s about celebrating the small victories and learning from the defeats. It’s about realizing that every day is a new opportunity to learn, to grow, to be a better father.
Call to Action: Becoming the Father Your Children Deserve
You’ve walked through the fire. You’ve weathered the storm. Now, it’s time to rise to the occasion. To be the father your children need and deserve.
This isn’t about becoming perfect. There’s no such thing as a perfect father. This is about becoming present, becoming accountable, becoming responsible. It’s about owning up to your mistakes and learning from them. It’s about stepping up to the plate, time and time again, no matter how hard life gets.
Your children deserve a father who is a role model, a guide, a friend. A father who is there for them, through thick and thin. A father who sets the right example, who walks the talk. A father who doesn’t shirk responsibility or shy away from commitment. That’s the kind of father you need to be.
And remember, it’s never too late to make a change. Every new day is a chance to start afresh, to make things right. So, here’s your call to action: Man up. Step up. Be the father your children need you to be. Because in the end, that’s what fatherhood is all about – rising to the challenge, meeting expectations head-on, and basking in the profound joy of raising a child.
We hope this journey has provided you with some hard truths, a guide to embracing self-sacrifice, and the ability to unearth the deep, profound joy that comes with being a dedicated father. It’s a tough road, but one well worth traveling.
#Fatherhood #SelfSacrifice #JoyInParenthood #GrowWithFatherhood #RaisingChildren #NoEasyOuts #EmbraceTheChallenge #HardTruths #UnvarnishedTruth #RealDads
by Danny Eley | Jul 14, 2023 | Brotherhood, Faith, Fatherhood, Front Page, Leadership, Manhood, Respect
“Sound of Freedom” is more than a film. It’s a slap across the face. It’s not a popcorn movie for your Friday night, it’s a hard-hitting truth that grabs you by the collar and screams to be heard.
I tell you what, there’s a reason why some want to keep this movie under wraps. This film, it’s causing an uproar. A real shake-up in the lofty places of Hollywood. They’re throwing around labels – conspiracy theory, white supremacist propaganda, whatnot. They want to put this movie in a box, tape it up, and shove it under a stack of other forgotten boxes. You know why? Because “Sound of Freedom” unearths the gruesome underbelly of child trafficking that they don’t want you to see. Because it breaks the status quo they’ve worked hard to maintain.
But this ain’t about conspiracy theories or political propaganda. No sir. It’s about the horrendous reality of children, kids like yours and mine, being sold into slavery like meat at a market. It’s about men like Tim Ballard and operation underground railroad, who are risking it all to wrench these innocent souls from the jaws of this monstrous trade.
It digs deep into child trafficking – a hideous truth we often conveniently shut our eyes to. But my friends, we can’t play blind anymore. The film mirrors the true journey of Tim, a man who willingly stepped away from his safe job to pluck a little girl from this abyss. The lengths he goes to, the risks he takes, they will shake you to your core.
The performances? My Goodness, they’re riveting. Especially the kids. It’s as if they weren’t acting at all. It was so real, so raw, it felt like a punch straight to the gut, a punch that still aches.
I won’t lie, this film broke me. I cried in the theater, on my way home, even woke up in the dead of night with this film burning in my thoughts. There was this scene where a son reunites with his father, and the way that boy hugged his dad, man, it’s the same way my own boy hugs me. It hit too close to home, it hurt.
“Sound of Freedom” is not merely a movie. It’s a battle cry against the horrifying nightmare of child trafficking. It’s a plea for humanity, for change. It’s a voice for those silenced by fear and exploitation. This isn’t a movie for the faint-hearted. It’s raw, real, and disturbing.
“Sound of Freedom” is a story that needs to be told, needs to be heard, needs to be felt. It needs you, it needs us, to pay attention.
Watch it. Let it rock you, like it rocked me. Let it make you angry, let it make you sad, let it stir something within you. And then, let’s stir the world. Don’t let anyone dissuade you with labels and slander. Let your own eyes, your own heart, be the judge. And then, let’s take a stand.
