“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” — Psalm 103:13

My father used to say:

“Son, you’re like a bull in a china closet.”

One thing I did not mention in a recent article was that Dad had a quick temper.

Not a constant temper.

Not a cruel temper.

A quick temper.

He could explode.

Then he would pull back almost immediately.

It would come out and then it would be over.

I think he struggled with it.

And perhaps that is why his advice carried weight.

He was not speaking as a master.

He was speaking as a fellow struggler.

One of the most beautiful descriptions of Christian leadership comes from Paul.

Writing to the Thessalonians, he says:

“We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her little children.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

Paul was an apostle.

A missionary.

A church planter.

A defender of truth.

Yet when describing his ministry, he reached for an image of tenderness.

As a father, he learned mothering.

He had authority.

But he did not lead with force.

He could have charged in like a bull.

Instead, he chose gentleness.

This is God’s way.

Adam and Eve heard the sound of God walking in the garden.

God was present.

God was unmistakable.

God was decisive.

But God was not storming.

Jesus later described Himself with these words:

“I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29)

The Son of God.

The Creator.

The King.

Gentle.

Biblical gentleness is not weakness.

It is strength under control.

Power that chooses restraint.

Authority that serves.

Truth spoken with compassion.

Perhaps the strongest people are not those who can overpower others.

Perhaps the strongest people are those who can control themselves.

Lord, make me strong enough to lead, wise enough to listen, and gentle enough to care.

Amen.

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Further Reflection:

If this theme resonates with you, you may enjoy my recent reflection:

When Compassion Walks on Water

A look at Jesus’ combination of compassion, courage, and servant leadership in Matthew 14.

Substack:
When Compassion Walks on Water

The central question is remarkably similar:

What does strength look like when it is guided by love rather than ego?

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Keep Diving In: Father’s Day Lessons for Leaders

My father used to tell me:

“Son, you’re like a bull in a china closet.”

It took me years to understand that he wasn’t just talking about me. He was talking about leadership.

Some leaders charge into situations with energy, ideas, confidence, and urgency. Those are often strengths. But when strength is not balanced with awareness, we can overwhelm the very people we’re trying to help.

Leadership gives us weight. Our words carry influence. Our decisions affect people, relationships, cultures, and organizations.

The challenge is not becoming weaker.

The challenge is becoming gentler.

Jesus modeled a remarkable combination of compassion and courage. He possessed immense power, yet rarely overwhelmed people. He led with strength under control.

Strong enough to act.

Gentle enough to care.

That’s a leadership lesson worth remembering long after Father’s Day.

What leadership lesson did you learn from your father, mother, mentor, coach, or early influence that still shapes how you lead today?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fathers-day-lessons-leaders-tom-sims-e5mbc

And, with tool to implement at: https://tomsims.substack.com/p/gentle-bulls