Ruth Bell Graham

“Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team,” Billy Graham said in a statement. “No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.

“I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we’ve had in the mountains together. We’ve rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven.”
The Rev. Billy Graham
(Assoc. Press)

I am in awe of Ruth Bell Graham. I admire her devotion to the Lord, her strength, and her gentle spirit. What most struck me though was when I heard Rev. Graham say that Ruth was the greatest Christian he had ever known. In all of his travels, in all of his associations his wife was the greatest Christian he had ever known.

Most of us aren't married to worldwide evangelists, but would our husbands say that about us? It was said that she would become so lonely sometimes she would sleep with his tweed jacket for comfort. Her children said she was pretty much a single mother. She said she was called to this position even though initially she thought of being an unmarried missionary. The Graham's always believed they were a team. She would provide fresh ideas and Billy would write his messages. She named "The Hour of Decision". She was also instrumental in him writing "Peace with God".

How many of us see our lives as a calling? Do we support our husbands even if we are lonely sometimes and feel like single mothers? Do we provide fresh ideas and support and edify our men? Or do we nag and complain? Have we rekindled the love of our youth (Billy says it can be done). Ruth was never known to complain. When asked if she ever considered divorce however she said, "divorce no, murder yes". SO you see she had her struggles, but her son said her strength came from the scriptures.

In case you think her life was perfect, Here is an excerpt from her journal in 1957:

“Four full-blooded little Grahams,” the young mother wrote in her journal. “ I feel this a.m. it’s gotten quite beyond me. They fight, they yell, they answer back. Breakfast is dreadful ... Now they’ve gone off to school looking nice enough (for once) and with a good breakfast but with the scrappiest of family prayers ... Grumbling, interrupting, slurring one another, impudent to me. So now they’re off, I’m in bed with my Bible thinking it through—or rather, trying to.”Ruth Bell Graham wrote this while her husband Billy Graham was off crusading in New York City. (Newsweek beliefs, June 14, 2007)

To me this sounds alot like my mornings, except I don't go back to bed with my bible, maybe I should! I am encouraged that she felt like I do many mornings.


Mrs. Graham, I honor your life and pray that I too will be the greatest Christian my husband has ever known. I pray my children will see that my strength comes from the scriptures. I know your children had their struggles yet you said they were your pride and joy. They now are all serving the Lord. I pray that I will always SHOW my children unconditional love, always point them to Jesus and trust God's plan for their lives. The world has lost a strong woman of faith and integrity. I love how you were fiesty and strong willed, yet allowed your husband to lead. Heaven is rejoicing in your coming home. Thank you Mrs. Graham for setting an example that I hope every Christian woman will follow.

ANTICIPATION

One of my spiritual mentors received a word from the Lord for me ahwile back. I LOVE that when it happens. He called to say that God told him that I would receive the desires of my heart shortly. I was very excited. My excitement however immediately was replaced with, "what does that mean?" and "which desires?". I have alot of them.....

I then started playing the guessing game. Well, will it have to do with my desires for my family? Will it have to do with my ministry? What, when, where, how?
Then I realized God's definition of shortly is alot different from mine. To me, shortly is no more than a few days. To God 1,000 years is a day and a day is a 1,000 years. Then I got discouraged.

God's Word says if we delight in Him He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). I already KNEW that, but why would God want me to specifically know that from my friend? All I could do was ask GOD.

My question went something like this, "God why would you have him tell me that when you know how it will drive me crazy wondering what you mean? Why get my hopes up when I don't know what, where, when or how?"

God's response to me was a great revelation. He answered with "I want my children to wait in eager anticipation for all that I am going to do." WOW God THAT is REALLY GOOD! So good that I had to share it. The other great thing is that it is very biblical! Psalm 27:14 in the Amplified bible says, "Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord."

As His children we are called to live by faith and we trust in Him. So no matter what situation you find yourself in if you are being obedient then you can eagerly expect God to do something amazing! From my experience He may even give you some desires of your heart that you did not even realize you had! SO GET EXCITED!!

Busy Busy

Ok I have been out of touch for awhile! Where to begin..... Well I mentioned that on Mother's Day our church baptized 209 people. The following week we did it again and between our 2 campuses about 426 were baptized! That was amazing!

My mom came into town during that time. My parents and grandpa are moving here. HURRAYYYY!!! SO my mom was house hunting and bought one. I wish I could say it was as easy as that sentenced sounded. We then went to Boone to see Beth Moore. If I can remember it all I will do a seperate post on that. The Blessings of Asher. Very interesting. Seeing her up close (I could have touched her) was incredible! Does she realize someday we will be friends?? No I am not a stalker, just a wishful prayer (Ephesians 3:20).

We celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. THANK YOU LORD!!! My kids are finishing up school, they are all on the swim team which is too cute for words. I had a great meeting with a wonderful woman from Love and Respect Ministries yesterday. I invited all of the "Great Wives God's Way" graduates and 16 people came. It was a great time of sharing.

SO I have been out of touch and very busy. All with good things. Yet I have been feeling very sluggish. As if I was walking through quick sand that is over my head. WHAT is that?? I just want to go to bed for a week or three. This great man of God, Derwin Gray, once said "BUSY" means being under satan's yoke. I think that is true. When we busy ourselves with all sorts of things, even good things, we get drained. I had some "God time" but not as much as I like. I did not intentionally fill my tank with the proper amount of His Spirit to begin each day.

I am thankful for a forgiving & merciful God. HE is always there ready to meet us when we seek Him with all of our hearts. He is faithful too. I saw His hand many times throughout these few weeks even when I was looking more to my "to do" list than to Him. SO when I am sluggish and tired I will lean on this. I will also make my time with Him more of a priortity so that being too busy won't suck me into the quick sand of life!