This Means A Lot To Me.

As I sat and fumbled through the book my Mimi (Grandma) wrote with all her writings that she got from God, I stumbled upon one that caught my eye. And after a few lines, it caught my heart as well. This poem was about my great Grandfather named Joseph Edward Warn. I had always heard stories about this man, but it just now hit me what a man he was. He had fantastic character, a heart the size of Texas, the ability to stand for what he believed in, but most of all, a heart and true passion for Jesus. The Lord has shown me through this poem, and through this man who I never got to meet, that I have what it takes as well as he did. You'll see what I mean when you read it. I have officially found my earthly role model, and I haven't even ever met him. I can't wait for the day I get to meet Him in heaven, and see just what he was like. Hopefully he will meet me at the gates :].



Papaw Man



He was tall and very distinguished, this Papaw Man was quite a linguist.

He knew what to say and when because the Lord used him to the very end.

“Just look to Jesus,” he would always say; “He is waiting for you this very day.

Everything will be all right; the Lord will save you and it will be His delight.”

Papaw didn’t want to preach; the Lord saw differently and kept up the heat.

Finally after much ado Papaw said, “Okay if you think I will do!”

So he started out not knowing much, but God favored him and taught him to trust.

Daily he studied and he prayed attaining knowledge he would take to his grave.

The more he knew the more he learned; it wasn’t long till he was more determined.

God gave Papaw the skills he needed to win the lost and pray for their healing.

His mission was to help the needy, keeping money aside for when it was needed.

As time went by he grew more self-assured, he knew his strength was in the Lord.

Through the years he found time to raise his children in whose eyes he would shine.

As his business thrived he gave and gave, his ministry mushroomed day after day.

He helped some couples to get their start; his reputation grew as a pastor with a
heart.

He waxed strong, he was a success; to his family and his church he did his very best.

His church life just was a must; he would go that extra mile for souls to be bussed.

He had an old car that couldn’t go very far, but every Sunday he gave it a jar.

Driving through the countryside he would pick up children for a Sunday school ride.

“Come on, come on,’’ he would always say, “we’d better get to town sometime today.”

As years went by his love for people grew, but the Lord was really all he knew.

His health failed him through the years, but the Lord always healed him and his fears.

It didn’t matter that his heart was giving out; he just wanted to go out with a shout!

He was really loved by one and all, but to twelve grandchildren he just had it all!
One grandson Brett, said to him when he was small, “Papaw Man, I’m having a ball.”

His love was always timeless and fresh, being there for them no matter what his stress.

This Papaw Man won their hearts; they came often to visit this man with a great big heart.

He was their idol into their adult years; he guided them often and with lots of tears.

Knowing he wouldn’t be there for them someday, he left an impression on them to pray.

His funeral was one of the largest around and people came from many other towns.

Twelve grandchildren gave Papaw Man back to the Lord and they were all in one accord.

By Sharon Warn

(In honor of Joseph Edward Warn)