We often get bent out of shape when a celebrity says something we deem irresponsible. “They have so much influence, they should use it for good,” we tweet. Have you ever considered why celebrities have so much influence? I think, to some degree, (OK, to a huuuuge degree) it’s because fathers have abdicated their roles in society. We’ve gone from father knows best to grammy-winner-knows best. Why? Because instead of getting wisdom at home, kids chase it online. They are unlikely to find it. But, we rail and holler at famous people who are using their influence “wrongly.” I say, let’s go reclaim it. Here’s what I’m not concerned about—at all—in my home: some celebrity’s tweet throwing off my kids equilibrium.

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” (Ps. 146:3-4)

Knowing how to handle failure as a father is tough. You have to remember that life is not about our own glory or our own kingdom. The Christian life is constantly in the battle of two kingdoms; the kingdom of self versus the kingdom of God. We’ve all failed on some level in life. But, do you use that failure to point to something bigger than yourself? Here’s how to not waste your failure as a father.

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” – Ken Blanchard

“Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear.” – Bertrand Russell

“The further you go in life, the more you realize what you’re going to leave this Earth. It’s not going to be, ‘It was a great platform. It was great to win the Super Bowl,’ but really and truly what you’re going to leave on this Earth is the influence on others.” – Joe Gibbs

'The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.' – Ken Blanchard Share on Twitter

Who’s influencing your family? Consider for a moment, the various influences on your family, especially your children. Movie stars? Musicians? Athletes? Politicians? Clearly, these aren’t all bad influences. For example, I know some amazing athletes who I’d gladly let my boys learn from; and, a politician once helped me with an international adoption for which I’m eternally grateful. Even so, do some of these external forces have an undue, negative influence on your children? If so, dive into that.

Make it a great week,

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

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.