Great American Pure Flix fan favorite Jesse Hutch keeps pretty busy as an actor, director and stuntman, but he always says his “best role” is husband and father. In fact, the dad of three recently took a moment to share a powerful Father’s Day video message to encourage all the wonderful men in our lives.
“You got to figure out when to be tough and when to be tender—there’s a balance there,” Hutch said in the video. “We need men willing to be tough… It does not mean jaded; it does not mean hard. But what it does mean is you know what you stand for, you know what you believe in, you know where you draw your lines in the sand when it comes to morality, you know that you’ll protect your wife and your children at all costs.”
The 43-year-old acknowledged that he’s very much an imperfect dad—just like every other guy. The difference, he says, is that he gets his inspiration and encouragement from a perfect Heavenly Father, which makes things easier.
“Find out who you’re following, who’s leading you?” Hutch asked. “For me, it’s God, the way he teaches me, and then out of that, you can lead others—lead your wife, lead your children.”
“From there, Scripture points me and directs me and guides me and constantly pushes back at me—my selfishness, my wants, my needs, my dreams—it challenges me,” he added. “It’s not wavering. It doesn’t move like this grass in the wind going back and forth. It’s strong and it’s steady and that’s how I want to be. I’m not always like that, but when I’m connected to something that’s strong and steady, it really helps me.”
Hutch expressed that one thing he especially needed help with was learning how to forgive his own father, who divorced his mother when the actor was 11 years old. The experience changed him in ways he never thought possible and made him realize how important forgiveness is for building solid relationships as well as for personal growth.
“There was a spiritual ripple in that that literally changed me, changed my marriage, and to be honest, I think it’s still changing generations,” Hutch said. “Understand that forgiveness is a big part of your life, and necessary and it will change your life, it will heal you, it will heal others around you.”
At the end of the day, the actor says being a good father is about “understand[ing] that you’re always a work in progress,” while remembering that God put you in your children’s lives for a reason.
“Happy Father’s Day—do not get down on yourself. Do not grow weary from doing good. Keep doing good. Keep moving forward, one day at a time. That’s all you got to do. Each day has enough worries of its own,” he said. “Be encouraged today. You do have what it takes. You are man enough for the task. In fact, you’re the one who’s been placed [exactly where you are].”
Jesse stars in the Great American Original movie, "Dream Wedding," and many others, now streaming on Great American Pure Flix! Not a member? Sign up for your free 7-day trial today.
Photo credit: Instagram
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