The Warrior Within: A Father's Mission, A Daughter’s Heart, and the Legacy of Faith.

The Warrior Within: A Father's Mission, A Daughter’s Heart, and the Legacy of Faith.
Friday, June 13, 2025 by Janet Perez Eckles

“I am on a mission,” my 42-year-old son Jason wrote in a recent blog post.

A mission? I asked myself.

I tried—really tried—to raise him with his focus on God, with a commitment to integrity, and with the wisdom to pursue God-honoring goals. Those were my silent prayers for him and his younger brothers. And—blushing a bit—I admit, those desires were probably repeated a few too many times.

Did all that do any good?

Well…tears fill my eyes as I share this with you.

Jason wrote:

“In case you missed it, I joined a group of warriors. We’re 100% committed to becoming something better, something great. We are accountable to each other. And we’re ALL-IN on the journey to overcome hardships. We’re committed to becoming harder to defeat—in our Mind, Body, Business, and Relationships.

And although I’m not surprised, my 13-year-old daughter has taken to doing my workouts with me every day. She is a black belt in karate (her passion). She hates missing a workout—she’s very competitive.

Today is our finisher. And as we start our run, she looks in my direction.

‘Daddy, I think I’d like to talk with you while we run.’

Done! AirPods go in my pocket. ‘What would you like to talk about, baby?’

‘Well, me and my friend were talking, and we were saying it’s no wonder why people don’t want to be Christian. It’s hard to not do certain things when everyone else is doing them. It’s hard when people make fun of you, or say you’re stupid for believing those things. Like, sometimes I pray, and I don’t feel like it does anything at all. Nothing changes. Why would anyone want to do that?’

Wow. She’s exactly right. Those are great questions. I feel like that sometimes, too.

‘Hey,’ I asked, ‘Was it super easy and painless to become a black belt in karate?’

‘No.’

‘Then why would anyone want to do it?’

‘I do it for you!’

This is only one of many conversations and experiences through the years. There have been tears, mistakes, and apologies—on both ends. There have been times of hard work in our relationship. Our personalities were tested and, often, reshaped.

And in that process, I’ve run through the gamut of frustration, feeling overwhelmed—even bits of depression. But I resolved to never go any further down the path of giving up.

As a father, this has been a precarious 13-year investment. But no matter how challenging, failing or quitting has never been, nor will ever be, an option.

I turn to her. ‘Look at what I’m doing right now. My legs hurt. It’s hard to breathe. This sucks. Why would I do this?’

She ponders my question as she rollerblades next to me. Then she smiles and says perhaps the most meaningful words a daughter has ever said to her father.

‘Because it’s worth it in the end,’ she says. ‘Daddy, I’m so glad you’re my dad. I feel bad for kids who don’t have someone like you to teach them. Thank you for talking to me—and for teaching me in a way I understand and that really makes me feel good. I love you.’

Tears, hidden by my sweat.

‘Exactly right, baby. And you know why I do it? For you.’

She wants to pose for a picture.

It’s always worth it.

Just like my mission as her dad, our group trains. We record. It’s not always pretty—but it’s always worth it. And it is because we uphold the uncompromising ideals to which my teammates and I have committed during our lifelong journey to become our best selves.

In my journey as a team member—and as her father—I am not only willing, I am excited and eager to suffer with and for those who are worth it.

And maybe for the first time, I understand: I am not only the pinnacle—I am the foundation.”

Today, God is asking all fathers to be warriors. To go to battle for their kids. To be willing to suffer because it’s worth it. To persevere because it’s required. And to fight—because it’s right. But the warrior in every father isn’t found in physical strength, financial abundance, or even intellect. It’s found in the place where he chooses to reside—where he rests and where he remains.

That place is in Christ.

He Himself said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” (John 15:5–7)

When Jesus remains in a father’s heart, he becomes the ultimate warrior. No stress can defeat him, no fear can bring him down, no worry can weaken him, and no harm can reach his children.

Let’s pray

Father, thank You for Your invitation to remain in You and become a strong fighter. I vow to use the weapons of courage, faith, and perseverance.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

In the challenges of fatherhood—what kind of warrior will you become?

Bonus article on this topic.

Janet

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