Overcoming a Father’s Neglect by Pursuing Godliness

Progress Over Perfection

We may strive for it, but perfection is impossible. We can, however, strive to be more like God by practicing forgiveness, grace, service, humility, patience, gentleness, kindness, and avoiding judgment. While we may fall short, we can draw closer to Him through persevering and seeking His guidance through prayer, meditation, and Bible reading.

In this episode of Relentless Hope, Shea Vaughn talks about her parent’s divorce and how their extreme examples affected her life. Let’s learn how she used negative experiences to strengthen her faith and live for God.

Words of Hope:

“I’m not perfect. I’m never going to be. And that’s the great thing about living the Christian life and trying to live by faith, is you’re trying to get better every day. You’re trying to improve.” - Tim Tebow

LIFE

In part 1 of this 3-part series, Shea shares how her parents’ examples affected her. Her father was neglectful and prioritized his wants over the needs of his children. However, Shea’s mother provided a stark contrast by instilling godly values and being a beacon of encouragement. Shea developed strength and resilience through her mother’s guidance to navigate life’s challenges.

Lesson from LIFE: To raise godly children, we must lead by example, providing them unconditional love, grace, and stability at home. In addition, it’s crucial to create a safe space for them to share their emotions without fear.

LEADERSHIP

In part 2, Shea teaches the importance of being a godly leader, following Jesus’s example of love, sacrifice, and service. She emphasizes that leaders are made, not born, and can develop traits like authenticity, discipline, commitment, perseverance, self-control, responsibility, and integrity.

Lesson from LEADERSHIP: Starting each day with a positive mindset filled with gratitude for our blessings, and seeking God’s counsel through prayer when faced with uncertainty, are crucial aspects of living a godly life.

LEGACY

In the final part, Shea encourages us to discover our purpose and lead a life that pleases God. Legacy isn’t about wealth or status but about finding spiritual fulfillment in our daily lives and serving others.

Shea also emphasizes the need for self-improvement, learning from others’ responses, and seeking God’s help in making changes. When dealing with regrets and mistakes, she advises taking responsibility, apologizing, and making amends, regardless of someone’s reaction.

Lesson from LEGACY: Through praising the Lord, seeking joy, lending a helping hand, and being accountable for your actions, you will experience a more fulfilling life that inspires others. Your positive influence can change the world!

Scripture to reflect on:?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”?

-? Galatians 5:22

Closing prayer for Shea’s story:

Dear Lord, while I will never be perfect like You, I know I’m created in Your image, and You want me to take on Your qualities. You’ve taught me what being more godly in my thoughts and actions means. Thank You for loving me and showing me how to be more like Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Listen to her story

Read the full transcript

God doesn’t expect perfection, but He does encourage us to pursue godliness. By praying and reading the Bible, we can invite God to lead us toward making the right choices and becoming shining examples for those around us. Instead of seeking worldly perfection, let’s embrace His qualities to inspire others to do the same!

We’d love to hear how this story impacted you. Please share in the comments below!