Fatherhood and the Gift of Being Teachable

This morning, as I sat in church, my pastor shared a reminder that I needed more than I realized. He said that as Christians, we’re called not only to invest in others, but to let others invest in us. And that requires humility. It requires being teachable, coachable, and open to feedback.

I thought about that for a while. As a dad, I want to teach my kids how to live with courage, kindness, and faith. But am I willing to learn in front of them? Am I coachable in my marriage? Am I still letting God and others speak into my life?

It’s easy to think that being a father means having all the answers. However, the truth is that some of the best lessons my kids will ever learn from me won’t come from my strength, but from my willingness to grow.

The Bible is full of men who invested deeply in others and were also willing to be shaped by others.

·       Moses invested in Joshua, preparing him to lead the people of Israel.

·       Paul mentored Timothy, passing on wisdom, correction, and faith.

·       And let’s not forget Eli and Samuel, or Naomi and Ruth, intergenerational relationships that shaped legacies.

I want to be that kind of dad. The kind who pours into his kids, but also receives correction. The kind who listens to mentors, to pastors, to friends, and even to his children when they hold up a mirror.

So today, if you’re a dad or if you’ve got someone looking up to you, ask yourself this:
Am I still learning? Am I still open?

Because the legacy of a father isn’t just in what he teaches, but in how willing he is to grow.

Let’s be the kind of men who lead and listen. Who teaches and takes feedback?
That’s how we build something that lasts.

Happy Father’s Day!

Dr. Luis San Roman