Gifted for Leadership: In Memory of Ruth Bell Graham

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June 14, 2007

In Memory of Ruth Bell Graham

by by Wendy Murray Zoba

The following article was first published in June 2000 in CHRISTIANITY TODAY. Wendy Murray Zoba painted a beautiful picture of what Ruth Bell Graham called her "martyrdom of a long life." All of us at Gifted For Leadership extend our sympathy and prayers to the Graham family. Ruth was a leader we would all do well to follow - especially as her life pointed so clearly to Christ.--The Editors

I told my husband the other day that I didn't want to live to be old. I told him I thought the Lord would honor that prayer, and he said, "What makes you think he'd make an exception for you?"

Ruth Bell Graham once prayed the same prayer, more or less, when as a young girl she asked the Lord to let her die a martyr's death, preferably as an old-maid missionary in Tibet. Her life has been a testimony to that unanswered prayer.

She never served in Tibet and didn't make it out of college without an engagement ring on her finger. She told me once that God entrusted her "with the martyrdom of a long life."

Her back hurts a lot these days. That is because she fell several years ago testing a zip line that she and some of her grandchildren had jerry-built. She wanted to make sure it worked before they took their turns. It didn't. She's been feeling it ever since, and now suffers considerably from the pain of more than one hip-replacement surgery.

She probably isn't crawling through second-story windows anymore either, like she did the time she roused out of bed an unruly young Franklin when he thought he had outfoxed her by locking his door.

Her journal entry dated February 14, 1957, reads (in part): Four full-blooded little Grahams ? They fight, they yell, they answer back. ? [W]hen I [got] up at 6:15 so did Anne and Franklin, and they fought during the time I have with the Lord alone. ? Grumbling, interrupting, slurring one another, impudent to me. So now they're off [to school], I'm in bed with my Bible thinking it through.

Whatever her thoughts were that day, she got through it, and the Lord evidently hearkened to her prayers. The "little Grahams" some 40 years thence are "off" again, this time with more sanctified dispositions. Franklin, none the worse for having once been consigned to the car trunk for tormenting his sisters en route from Montreat to town, has stepped into his father's shoes at crusades and oversees the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Ned inherited his mother's passion for China and manages a ministry that distributes Bibles there. Anne's preaching has no less fire and spellbinding force than her father's. And Bunny and Gigi serve actively in ministry and writing or speaking. Ruth's prayers during long hours alone in that house on the mountain with those five kids (without a husband) seem to have brought in a multiplied harvest - and that's not counting the added blessing of 19 grandchildren and "numerous" great-grandchildren.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody" (2 Corinthians 3:2).

Ruth Graham's life, aching back and all, is a letter crafted especially for people like me who dread the thought of growing old. It's got to hurt, bearing the physical repercussions of gutsy living while putting your own well-being on the line in deference to others. (Being in bed with a Bible was probably a good place to be sometimes.) Ruth Graham's life provides a picture of the sweet sacrifice of the martyrdom of a long life. It is a letter that should be known and read by everybody.

Comments

My thoughts and prayers are for the Graham family at the loss now of Mrs. Graham. We know she is now with Jesus and happy to be there. May God comfort you now as always.

What an inspiration to me Ruth Bell Graham has always been, as I read her books, Decision Magazine articles, etc. and hearing GiGi share with us on the Christian Women's Get-Away Cruise last November. I thank God that the work of Dr. and Mrs. Graham will continue....
God bless the entire family.

My prayers are with the Graham family, but they more than anyone know that they shall see her once again, and she is out of pain.
What a glorious homecoming it must have been for her.

What a sterling example Ruth Graham was to the ministry of being a woman who chose her path of service to God as a wife, mother, sister-in-Christ, and friend to everyone who knew her. She is now at her reward in Heaven.

My husband and I were saddened to hear of Ruth's death yet feel a sense of relief that she’s no longer suffering and is with the Lord. I always loved her writings, especially her poetry. She had such an incredible faith and a lovely heart. Our prayers are with the Graham family during this difficult time.

Mother Teresa once said "You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you've got.
Ruth example of love for Jesus will live on in our heart forever. Her love for Jesus is seen through her love for her family.

Dr Graham and family The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift
His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)

Rev. Graham I Thank You and Your Bride. though I am still a work in progress. the stories of Your Work and Family of LOVE have kept my ear bent in GOD'S direction even when I have not wanted to go there. May my LOVE, small as it my be, be poured out to You with our LORD's and that of the world. GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY

I thank God for Mrs. Ruth Bell Graham's life and the example she left of a devoted wife and mother, and one who had a deep love for Jesus. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of grief. May God continue to be with you.

I can't wait to meet Ruth Graham in heaven. I imagine she will still have her zest for life, her dedication to the Word, her passion for the Saviour. I'm so happy she is now with Jesus -
but my heart aches for Dr. Graham. The sting of death is this separation - too awful to think of them being apart. I pray for him every time he comes to mind, since I heard of her homegoing.

May God's strong arm now embrace the Graham family with His love and the reassurance of knowing that Ruth is now in the presence of Jesus. Her spirit is alive and I do remember Billy once wrote in his book, that one day only one thing will change through his death, and that is his address, heaven.
May God's love at this time give comfort to the Graham family.
Sincerely, in Christian love,
Debbie & Dave Brant

I am thankful for the life of Ruth Bell Graham and the example she has been to myself and millions of women across the world of how to be a godly woman and a godly wife and mother. I am sure when she saw her beloved Jesus - He said to her "Well done - good and faithful servant."
To Dr Graham and the family - Thank you for sharing your lives with us and I pray 2 Cor. 1:3-7 over you, that the God of all comfort - comfort you as only He can - Blessings to you all...

Dear God,
Thank you so much for giving the Graham's to us! You are continually glorified through their lives and I thank you for all you have accomplished through them, not just in my life, but around the whole world as well! Thank you for sharing them with us all.
My prayers go up for their family continually.
THANK YOU!!

Our hearts go out to the Billy and Ruth Graham family in the loss of their wife, mother, friend and wonderful precious Christian lady. We know that the passing on of Ruth will be difficult for the family especially for Brother Billy, but I thank the Lord that one day all of this will be behind us and we will be forever with the Lord without heartaches, trials and troubles. I’m also thankful that the Lord said that I will never leave thee nor forsake thee and that He would be with us until the end of the world. The Graham family has been and will continue to be in our prayers. Sister Ruth has left a legacy behind for us all to cherish.

I found Mrs.Graham a wonderfully spirited and feisty mother and grandmother. In reading Rebel With A Cause",she consistantly refused to let Franklin trump her authority. She also enjoyed children as she did while helping her grandchildren build a "zip-line". Certainly a remarkable lady.
Gratefully yours in Him, Eleanore Totten

GOD be with you.

In raising our eleven children, Ruth Bell Graham has been a mentor. Her feistiness example in battling with the unruliness of our children in my husbands absence was a Godsend. Thank you Ruth for your many poems, stories, and sermons that helped me through difficult times. I, too, was blessed with a Godly husband that simply has to be absent working inorder to support the children I so desired to have and raise for Jesur.

What a gift we were given in the life of Ruth Graham. I was saddened all day when I heard she was in a coma as we were going to temporarily lose such a wonderful example of a Christian woman. I remember her 'stopping by' at a conference at the "Cove" about 12 years ago and what a beautiful presence of humility she exuded. May we always learn from her life and how greatful to God that she was here for us.

Dr. Graham and the entire family--My prayers are with you for comfort and strength. I want to thank Ruth for writing her book, The Prodigal. It was such a blessing to me when I had my own prodigal. She was such an inspiration to all women and I thank God for her example. What a day it will be when we wll meet together again in heaven and see our Lord face to face. God bless you all.

May God continue to use this mighty family in the absence of one so great. Thank you God for the legacy that the Grahams' have instilled and prayed into their children. May their children and their children's children continue to do the same. God Bless You all during this time of sadness. Prayers and Love.

My thoughts and prayers are with Rev Graham and the family. What a lovely funeral and "Going Home" worship service for Ruth! I hope it can stay online awhile for more people to view. God bless you all.

I watching the homegoing services for Ruth Graham and what a woman of God she turned out to be. I mean when someone has to be mother and father when the father goes out to preach the gospel, that says something. She was fiesty and yes, she was strict with her children. But you know what? through that strictness, these children turned out to be speakers, ministers and a head of a charity organization which ministers to war torn countries and other places, including this country in need.

And also through this, the family produced a grandson who ensure that the work which Billy and Ruth established will continue.

A noble Christian lady has gone Home. I give thanks to God for who she was and the life she lived. Her legacy is a rare and beautiful blessing. Donna Phillips Munson

Mrs. Graham was a blessing to me even though i never did meet her. I have read her articles in DECSISION and her comments in BILLY GRAHAM-- GODS AMBASSADOR. they are a loving caring family. our family's prayers go out to them, it is so wonderful to know we will all see her again, when we see JESUS face to face, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

Pastor Graham and family, may Gods' peace bring you comfort at this time of loss of your precious, loving wife, Mother, and Grandmother. The celebration of the life of Ruth Graham was a very special tribute to a wonderful devoted Christian lady. Thank you for allowing us to share her service today. May each treasured memory of Ruth bring you comfort and peace. God bless you.

Dr. Billy Graham and family,
Our hearts and prayers go out to you as your family and you celebrate Ruths going home to be with our lord and savior. We have never met, but through Christian TV feel like we know you. She is at peace with Jesus now and know you are at peace that she has no more pain. God Bless you and yours.

Dear Rev.Billy Graham & family: our prayers & thoughts are with you during this time. May God provide the strength & help you endure the loss of your love, Ruth & put His loving arms around you. We have been blessed by your Biblical teachings, and humility. God will send His angels to keep you during this time. Love in Christ, Darlene Clemons,& my mom, Marie, my sister Karen Wilson& husband RAy &my neiceLaura Olson&husband Greg,&my nephew, Eric Wilson.

I thanks God for the life of Mrs. Graham and Dr. Billy Graham. I thaks God for their faithfulness and love for the Lord. I thanks God for their spotless testimony. May Him comfort the whole family and embrace you with His Peace.

We thank God for Billy and Ruth Graham and all the Love of the Lord they have shared with
the world for so many years. As we watched
Billy Graham enter the memorial service for
his wife via television, our hearts and spirits
cried out for him. May he feel the prayers,
the love, and the caring thoughts going out
for him and his family....and may Ruth be
celebrating her home coming with a family
reunion of those who met her at the other
shore!
Loving thoughts,
Bill & Doris Linzy
Elkton, Md. USA

Mrs. Ruth Bell Graham was a woman who I know in my heart lived everyday of her life for Jesus Christ. My thoughts and prayers go to the family of Mrs. Graham. May God bless you all.

After so many years of observing your lives and ministries, we feel almost as though we know you, brother and sister in Christ! So it hurts to think how much you must be grieving to lose your wonderful life-mate and soulmate, Rev. Graham. To read Ruth's writings is to love her...and we did. Heaven and our Savior must have given her a grand welcome! We pray that Christ will undergird your entire family with a great peace during this time of transition without wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Thank you for the integrity with which you have lived your lives and the sterling reputation you have maintained (even when assailed in earlier years by "the church", to its shame). We offer our sincere sympathy and pray that God's comfort would be enough for you.

We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Graham and his entire family for the loss of Mrs. Graham. She was a true woman of God. May her memories shine brightly in your hearts and minds always.
May the Lord richly bless all of you during this time, now and always.
In Christian love,

We want to extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Graham and family. Your family has meant so much to ours. We have been touched by the example Ruth lived and your life.
God has so much waiting for all of you for the work you are doing for him. May God give you the rich blessing during this time.

Love,.
In Christ

Wow, what a life! Reverend & Mrs. Graham lived a life of "it's no longer I, but CHRIST who lives in me!" What an example of "selling" out to HIM! Truly exemplary.

She was my hero.

When I heard that she had gone home to be with Jesus I cried, despite my joy for her. Tears-sadness and joy becoming one. Thank you Rev.Graham,for sharing your precious bride with us. Thank you Jesus for her life, her love and her legacy. Help me to emmulate the life of this faithful servant.

I wanted to extend my sympathies to Dr. Graham and his family for the loss of such a spiritual fortress for all women whom she mentored and marriages her mentoring heart saved. I have grown so much spiritualy mirroring your family's devotion to religious values as well as family values. I have volunteered a few times for promise keepers, given faithfully to semaritans's purse and love to listen to the women in your family. Thank you so much for all that your family has done and given up for us in the name of Jesus. Our words can not compare to the joy, love and blessings she has had returned to her for being a faithful servant of God in Heaven. She is truly a daughter of a king.

I praise God for the example of Ruth Bell Graham. Her life, family and writings have inspired me so much. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Debbie Chai

An interesting lady, lots to admire but lots to question as well,particually her support of some very dubious US Presidents and Amercican foreign policy and her luke warm support of civil rightss issues.

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