Hopefully you’ve made time to reflect on the past year—wins, misses, and unexpected answers—Proverbs 16:6-9 offers solid footing to look back honestly and step forward wisely, trusting God’s direction for our families ahead.

#1 God starts with the heart (v. 6). “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.” Before God fixes the pothole in the road, He fixes the driver. Most dads want more money and more time, but God starts deeper. Before He directs your steps, He deals with your heart—not to shame you, but to free you.

Proverbs reminds you that forgiveness begins with God’s steadfast love, not performance. That’s good news if you’ve ever missed the mark. God didn’t ignore your sin; He handled it at the cross. When grace sinks in, your heart can change. If you’re reading this and thinking your wife or kids need to change instead of yourself, maybe God wants to start with the one holding the wheel.

#2 God is better than anything (vv. 7–8). “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.” God governs what we can’t control—which is a bunch of stuff.

Maybe you had a tough year, but saw Him at work. “Better a little with righteousness” disrupts our metric of success, doesn’t it. Sometimes the evil guy prospers and the good guy struggles. Obedience usually costs more in the short term. God is better than anything—including success in this world.

#3 God cares about everything (v. 9). “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” God doesn’t oppose planning. Godly dads should think ahead, consider facts, and take responsibility. But planning has limits. You aim for Terminal A, but God may reroute you through B, C, and D. I trust this flight illustration lands. Get it, LANDS? Come on! Often, the flight path makes sense only later. The cross proves this. God used the worst evil to accomplish His greatest good. Men sinned; God saved. If last year was painful, it wasn’t meaningless. God was present. He cares about everything—especially you.

Here’s How to Help Your Kids Find Godly Friends: Your kids don’t just need friends—they need the right friends. This article equips you, Dad, to help them build Christ-centered relationships by modeling godly community, asking better questions, and creating the kind of home where biblical friendships grow.

God Directed Our Steps: This episode, Lawson and I reflect on one theme: God’s provision. Through job changes, parenting challenges, and life’s milestones—He showed up, again and again. Not always how we expected, but always exactly how we needed. Before charging ahead, we’re stopping to recognize the faithful hand that carried us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.”

We can plan but God decides. This means we can’t get down when things get difficult or take credit for any of our credentials. Recognizing this truth should stir up humility, repentance, and patience in you as you look back—and move forward—under God’s direction and wisdom.

Ask yourself: Where have you made plans, and then had to trust God to change your steps—and what has it taught you about how you should lead?

Ask your child: Can you think of a time when you made a plan, but God helped it turn out a different way—and why do you think that might have been God working?

Prayer: Father, thank You for every step. Thank You for forgiveness, direction, and strength. I praise You for wins, trust You with losses, and move forward confident in Your faithfulness, not my plans. Amen.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.