If you feel like you’ve messed up beyond repair as a dad, Luke 15:17-20 reminds you that God is the Father who runs toward his son. In this story, we see three things about repentance: awareness, action, and compassion.

#1 Repentance takes awareness. “…he came to himself…” (v. 17). Most dads have drifted at some point—been distracted, too harsh, too passive, maybe even mentally or physically absent. Repentance starts there. You realize, recognize, and become aware. You don’t list excuses or finger-point—you reflect.

The son recognized his sin while standing in the mud among pigs and reflected on how good his father was. That’s where change starts. As a godly dad, you gotta model this—turn quickly and humbly to show your children what dependence on God looks like.

#2 Repentance takes action. “I will arise and go to my father…” (v. 18) and “…he arose and came to his father.” (v. 20). Good intentions don’t restore relationships. Feeling bad is not repentance. You recognize your wrong, then you move your butt. Notice, the son didn’t clean the mud off himself first. He came to his senses, admitted he needed to go home, and went.

Dad, you have to do the same. If you’ve been distant, step toward your wife and kid(s). If you’ve been impatient, bow down and apologize. If you’ve neglected God, open His Word.

#3 Repentance takes compassion. “[W]hile he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (v. 20). Notice that the father wasn’t hiding in a shed with folded arms, replaying the son’s failure. God doesn’t do that with you either. Whatever wrong you’ve done, God the Father has His arms out ready for you.

Satan wants you to keep thinking you’ve gone too far, failed too much, and waited too long. But God has compassion. His grace is greater than your worst moment. When you find God’s mercy, you’re likely to reflect it in your house.

Why You Freeze When Your Kids Need You: Sometimes when emotions rise, you don’t lean in—you shut down, go quiet, and regret it later. That “freeze” response isn’t you being uncaring; it’s a protective reflex, and with small, intentional steps, you can learn to stay present when it matters most.

Being Clear When The World Is Loud – Overwhelmed To Intentional (Part 6): Do you ever feel like the world is getting louder, and your voice at home is getting smaller? In this episode, Lawson and I talk about how you don’t have to out-shout culture to lead well—you just need to outlast it.

Charles Spurgeon: “The prodigal, when he said, ‘I will arise and go to my father,’ became in a measure reformed from that very moment. How, say you? Why, he left the swine-trough: more, he left the wine cup, and he left the harlots. He did not go with the harlot on his arm, and the wine cup in his hand, and say, ‘I will take these with me, and go to my father.’ It could not be. These were all left, and though he had no goodness to bring, yet he did not try to keep his sins and come to Christ.”

Real repentance owns sin without excuses. You say, “I sinned,” instead of “I got caught.” Godly sorrow grieves the sin itself instead of the fact that you were found out. Ask yourself: “Am I more often upset about the consequences of sin rather than sinning against God?”

Repentance takes humility. You ask God and whoever’s involved for forgiveness—and that’s it; there’s no defending or arguing—just own it. Ask yourself: “Where do I need to be more humble?”

Repentance moves. “He arose and came to his father.” Change requires action—recognize, act, and turn. Go home. Do the right thing. Ask yourself: “What one step do I need to take today?”

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.