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At 5:05pm Thursday, at her home in Little Piney Cove in Montreat, N.C., Ruth Bell Graham passed away.
She was surrounded by her husband Billy Graham and all five of their children.
After a lifetime of loving and serving the Lord, she is now with Him in glory. But I can only imagine how many tears are falling — not only by her beloved family and friends, but also by us, the many who never knew her but watched and admired her.
Growing up, Billy and Ruth Graham were our heroes. Our parents held them in highest regard and so did we. How could we not? When others disappointed and shamed the Lord, Ruth and Billy Graham stayed the course and honored Christ with their lives and their message.
Personally, Ruth Graham is my hero – I am in awe of her and her dedication to the Lord, to her husband and to her children. To me, she is one of the purest examples of what the Holy Spirit can do with a life given to Christ. She was human and flawed I am sure but, from all I have read about her and by her, she seems to have truly allowed the Holy Spirit to govern her day in and day out. And through that power of God, she quietly lived out an extraordinary life for Christ.
Anne Graham Lotz, Ruth and Billy’s second daughter, revealed her mother’s deep relationship with the Lord:
“I would go down to my mother’s room early in the morning. Her light would be on, and I would find her at her big, flat-top desk. She would be reading and studying her Bible, with about 14 different translations spread out around her.
“When I would go down to her room late at night, I would see the light on underneath the door and I’d go in, and she would be on her knees in prayer.
“As I look back on my childhood, I cannot remember any impression whatsoever that my mother was ever lonely. She may have been lonely, but I never saw it.
“I believe that our heavenly Father, our Savior, saved my mother from loneliness because of her daily walk with the Lord Jesus, He was the love of her life. I saw that in her life. It was her love for the Lord Jesus, with whom she walks every day, that made me want to love Him and walk with Him like that.”
It seems strange after a lifetime of having the Grahams teaching and ministering to us that Ruth is now gone. But I hope the world will remember her. And for all of us mothers, if you are looking for a hero, pick up some books by Ruth Bell Graham (and especially her poetry). She will inspire you through her sincerity and her dedication to the Lord.
And when I die
I hope my soul ascends
slowly, so that I
may watch the earth receding
out of sight,
its vastness growing smaller
as I rise,
savoring its recession
with delight.
Anticipating joy
is itself a joy
And joy unspeakable
and full of glory
needs more
than “in a twinkling of an eye,”
more than “in a moment.”Lord, who am I to disagree?
It’s only we
have much to leave behind,
so much … Before.
These moments
of transition
will, for me, be
time
to adore.
by Ruth Bell Graham, from Collected Poems, Page 162
Judith Register says
What did you see her reading in the morning I want to follow what she looked at even if there were 14 of them please send to me so I can desire for myself like she did please the few books I read of hers helped me so much
susan says
does anyone know the book title where Ruth Bell Graham speaks of putting her “apron on” because there was so much to do… She was referring to times when she was raising the children and Billy was gone preaching. I want that specific book, as that anology holds real meaning for me. What a wonderful woman she was.
Susan
[email protected]
Serge Lavie says
Serge Lavie films Billy Graham on:
http://evangelistsergelavie.blogspot.com/
annaliza of ventanawhos candid says
yes she’s completely healed and in a new body in Glory. praise Him. she’s an obedient woman of God. she will be missed.
taylorblue says
Wow…I saw your link on a friends of mines blog…I have never been here before but quite sad I haven’t I will make sure to stop by soon. Good job all around!
jen says
what a remarkable lady
and an inspiration to all woman especailly mums
may she rest easy in Gods presence now
bee says
I’m with Jana… what a welcome she must’ve gotten up there!
Jana (sidetrack'd) says
What a beautiful post and wonderful tribute to a beautiful lady. I can only imagine her rejoicing as she joined with the angels to sing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty!”
Liza says
Wonderful tribute Janice!
I watched several video which I posted today. She’s very inspiring:
http://lizas-eyeview.blogspot.com/2007/06/in-memory-and-honor-of-ruth-graham.html
Sandy says
Wonderful words for an inspiring, Godly women. I remember reading Billy Graham’s autobiography years ago, and I just loved the insight he gave into his wife. It inspired me!
Thanks for posting such kind words about a dear women.
I am thankful for her life and testimony!
Jen says
I live in Boone, NC where the Samaritans Purse headquarters and are where Franklin lives. My dad works there so its really been on our hearts and minds this week. My dad got the call yesterday evening while he was working there on premises and called my mom.
It was like I knew it wouldn’t be long but still when I heard the news I was sad. She was a wonderful woman/mother role model to us all. She helped guide us and show just how much of a people pleaser she was. She was always there at a drop of a hat to help just as her husband was.
I’m so glad they opened up the Billy Graham Library here a couple weeks to share her and her husband’s legacy. And what a special place for them to have as their final resting place!
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful blog post with us Jance!
escapades unlimited says
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. Thanks for posting.
Nell says
Such a lovely and amazing family. You know she is dancing with Jesus right now! I love to think about my Granny up there just loving life 🙂
oh amanda says
Thank you for posting this! I didn’t know.
melody says
I have no doubt that God granted her slow ascent into heaven that she might savor the joy, and that she sits beside Him smiling down. She and my grandmother are heroes to me. I never saw stronger faith, more unselfish lives than theirs.
A beautifully written tribute.
Karla~Looking Towards Heaven says
this is lovely.
I posted a small notice of this same thing on my blog.
blessings,
karla
Adventures In Babywearing says
I KNOW. I KNOW. Ruth Bell Graham was such an inspiration to me. One summer I checked out ALL her books from the library. I have a tiny little book of her writings called Blessings For A Mother’s Day and I read it still all the time. I post some of her entries from time to time on my blog, too. Wow, heaven has a wonderful new angel this week!
Steph
My Quotidian Mysteries says
Thank you for writing this lovely tribute for a lovely, godly woman. I hope others do the same today.
Robin says
Wow! She really left a legacy beyond words!
Pattie says
This is a lovely post for a truly beautiful woman. I can only hope to be half the ministry wife she was to her husband.
Celeste says
This is so sad. She was a good woman. I loved the fact that she was not afraid to show she was human and struggled like the rest of us do.
Lu says
What a beautiful post! I know that she is finally at the place she wants to be!
Marcia says
Wow, Janice, what a beautiful tribute to a beautiful Christian lady.