A strong personality, Dawson could be demanding. But when I met alone with Dawson, he was always gentle. He spoke directly to me and seemed aware of my need and my capacity. I often thought of him as being like the apostle Paul. Paul could be stern and sharp, but when he was with someone alone, he was gentle.
Gentleness is a mark of a true leader.
That is an unusual phrase, not often found in Scripture. I sometimes feel this myself, especially when I am talking with young people. I feel my heart longing to help them, to bless them, to teach them, to lead them, to fulfill them. That is how parents feel about their children. There is a yearning after them, an affectionate desire to see them blossom and grow in the right direction.