Summary
In this episode, Rod Richard interviews Gigi Michelle Dennard, a speaker and author who shares her experience of growing up without a father figure and reconnecting with her father later in life. Gigi discusses the impact of not having a father present and how she created stories to fill the void. She also shares the emotional reunion with her father and the journey of building a relationship with him. The conversation explores the genesis of the book and the decision to write it. It delves into the deepening walk with the Lord and the idea for the book. The conversation also highlights the calling to write the book and the impact it has had on others. It discusses the importance of resonating with others' experiences and ministering to them. The workshop and companion diary are introduced as resources for healing. The process of the workshop is explained, along with the concept of receiving restorative healing. The availability of the workshop and the connection to the father's family are also discussed. In this conversation, Giji Mischel Dennard shares her experience of reconnecting with her father and building relationships with her siblings. She discusses the different experiences her siblings had with their father and how it shaped their perceptions of him. Giji emphasizes the importance of prioritizing healing from father wounds and embracing God's father heart in order to show up as a whole father. She also highlights the significance of pouring into one's children and preparing them for the day they won't be around.
Takeaways
Growing up without a father figure can have a significant impact on a person's identity and sense of self.
Creating stories to fill the void of not knowing one's father is a common coping mechanism for children.
Reconnecting with a long-lost father can be an emotional and transformative experience.
Building a relationship with a father after years of absence requires patience, understanding, and open communication. Building relationships with siblings who have different experiences with their father can provide a fuller picture of who he is.
Understanding and empathizing with the challenges and voids in a father's life can help in healing and building stronger relationships.
Fatherhood means pouring into your children with faith, love, hope, affirmation, expectations, and joy.
Embracing God's father heart and mimicking it in our own fatherhood can have a profound impact on our children and relationships.
Healing from father wounds is essential for showing up as a whole father and having a positive impact on our children's lives.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:01 Growing Up Without a Father Figure
07:57 Creating Stories to Fill the Void
14:02 Reconnecting with Her Father
23:57 Meeting Her Father for the First Time
27:25 The Genesis of the Book
28:18 Deciding to Write a Book
29:23 Deepening Walk with the Lord
32:04 The Idea for a Book
33:09 The Calling to Write the Book
35:07 Impact of the Book
36:15 Resonating with Others' Experiences
37:30 Ministering to Others
38:11 The Workshop and Companion Diary
41:38 The Workshop Process
44:19 Receiving Restorative Healing
49:23 Accessing the Workshop
50:17 Workshop Availability
51:26 Connection to Father's Family
51:39 Introduction and Family Background
52:16 Connecting with Siblings
53:00 Different Experiences with Father
54:01 Discovering Similarities with Siblings
55:13 Understanding Father's Different Relationships
56:08 Forming Perceptions of Father
57:26 Challenges in Building Relationships with Siblings
58:09 Understanding Father's Void
59:02 Father's Efforts to Parent
59:33 Prioritizing Healing from Father Wounds
01:03:23 Meaning of Fatherhood
01:06:47 Embracing God's Father Heart
01:09:58 Healing from Father Wounds
