Tender Warrior

My father, Warren Edwards, passed away in 2002 at the age of 69. I wish so much that all of you had the chance to get to know him. He was a great man and would be so proud of each of you. I am glad that he and Julie had a special relationship and that he got to enjoy Catherine and Will early in their lives.

Since he died suddenly, I had never given any thought to his funeral. As I was driving down from Birmingham to Moultrie that day, God put it on my heart to speak at his service. I wanted to honor him as the great man that he was but, what would I say?

The small group that I was in at the time had just gone through a book called Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart. The book was a sequel to another one written by Stu Weber entitled Tender Warrior. As I thought about it, I realized that this is exactly who my father was - a “tender warrior” who modeled these “four pillars” so well.

My father was the first person in his family to ever go to college. He grew up in Sebring, FL and got a football scholarship to go to Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville, GA. He would get to and from school (450 miles each way) by hitchhiking. After finishing his two years there, he served in the Army on the GI Bill - which would pay for the rest of his college. He then went to the University of Florida and graduated from the Business school. He got a job in Atlanta with Royal Insurance Company and moved into a boarding house where he met a lady named Sandra Stokes who became his wife, my mother and your Grand.

In the book Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart, the “pillars” are identified as King, Warrior, Mentor and Friend. I spoke about these roles at my father’s funeral and I believe that are an excellent profile to consider for our own lives as men. Ladies, you can encourage your men in these roles. They are the qualities you want to instill in a son and look for in a man.

King: This is a Servant-King - a man of vision, humility and character. He doesn’t “lord” over his family but serves them by providing for them and lovingly leading them. He points his family to Christ by submitting his own life to the true King. Matt. 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Warrior: This is a man of courage and conviction. He protects his family spiritually, physically and emotionally. He is willing to man his post and not seek to excessively escape into trivial pursuits that bring no benefit to the greater good of his family. Men stand tallest when they are protecting and defending. Others know where a warrior stands because of his character. However, he is willing to speak hard things in love when it’s right and appropriate. 1 Kings 2:2-3 So be strong, and prove yourself a man. Do your duty to the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn,

Mentor: He is a teacher that is empowered by the wisdom of God. He is also a learner. He is able to teach most effectively because he is willing to be a lifelong learner. Be a mentor - have a mentor. Ecclesiastes 7:12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

Friend: He is an intentional connector. He is always available for and faithful to those under his care. He prioritizes time with his family and friends at the expense of his own interests. One of the great memories that I have of my father was his love for growing flowers in our yard and for his woodworking. My parents friends would come over and cut flowers from our yard all the time. In his shop, he built doll cradles for Christmas that we would give to the underprivileged. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

My father was all of these things but, like the rest of us, he wasn’t perfect. All of us wish we were better at some of these pillars than we currently are. The important thing is that while we might know failure, we don’t accept defeat and while we might know disappointment from time to time, but we don’t engage in despair. The pillars are never a destination to be reached but a worthy journey to pursue.

On the cover of the Tender Warrior book it reads - Every Man’s Purpose, Every Woman’s Dream and Every Child’s Hope. What more of an inspiration do we need to take on that journey!?!

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6