Ruth Graham with Jesus
By J. Grant Swank Jr. (06/15/07)
The apostle Paul wrote: "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." II Corinthians 5:8
Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, is now absent from her earthly frame. She is therefore present with her Lord.
Ruth, daughter to missionaries to China, married Billy who became the globe’s most famous and beloved Christian evangelist. He has preached to more humans than any other preacher. His message has always been Christ as personal Savior.
Many don’t know it, but it was Billy who coined the term "evangelical" and made it a household word especially by way of his publications "Christianity Today" and "Decision."
While Billy was warning souls of hell and inviting them into heaven’s grace, Ruth was doing her own God-work at home and in her community. Further, she was a noted author of poetry, journal writing and inspirational books.
Ruth was an outspoken believer. Not retiring in the shadows of her husband’s popularity, Ruth stood on her own abilities—all consecrated to the work of Christ.
When my wife and I attended a clergy-and-spouse conference at The Cove, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s training center, we had lunch at the same table as Ruth’s personal secretary. That was years ago. Even then the secretary mentioned to us how Ruth suffered from acute back pain. "It could be that she won’t be with us much longer."
Yet Ruth lived many years after that conversation, thus her pain continued those many years. The Graham’s annual Christmas card, sent out to millions, revealed a Ruth growing thinner and thinner. Her body was weakening but her spirit was just as vibrant as ever.
She had wit. She had charm. She had her own brand of sanctified humor. She had convictions that were squarely founded upon the Scripture. She was a creative, individualistic thinker. She was her own evangelist from her southern home kitchen to living rooms around the world.
Ruth was a humble woman who never sought the limelight. She could speak up to any issue of the day with clarity and poise while at the same time being ladylike, genuinely graced with the cultured virtues.
Rearing the children as her husband was away most of the year must have been her most arduous chore. Those offspring brought their own strong personalities to the fore. Those individuals maturing were not the easiest to handle. Ruth knew it on the most practical level.
While Billy was elsewhere saving souls, Ruth was at home trying to keep her own children’s soul in line with the biblical teachings the parents held to without compromise. Now the children are grown and truly trophies of grace, much due to their mother’s tenacity and depth of spiritual commitment.
Ruth, bed-ridden in these last days, is now released from her constant pain. She is with Jesus in heaven. There she enjoys perfect health, joy and holiness. She was a mortal, spiritually fallen like the rest of us. But Ruth early on was saved by Christ’s mercy. From that moment onward, she sought to live out her gratitude to God for redeeming her soul.
While we ponder her life, she greets all the saints who preceded her through the Grace Door. For that we thank God with anticipation of one day seeing her again.
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