Monday, June 18, 2007

Passing the Torch


"The mama that we saw at home was the mama that the world saw," said their son, Franklin, who is now the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

I can't think of any words that I would be more honored to hear than those spoken at Ruth Bell Graham's funeral by her son Franklin. To me those words say that this woman was real. She was real every day of her life, in public or in private. She was who God made her to be. No airs, no pretenses, no image. Just a woman who loved God and her husband and her family. She didn't care so much what the public thought of her but she cared deeply what God thought of her. I was tickled to hear that she remained a Presbyterian all her life, even though her famous husband was a Baptist. I'm not sure how well that would work in a regular church attending family, but it obviously worked well for them. I guess since he was gone so much, she raised the family in the denomination of her youth. I always think it doesn't matter so much what your first name (denomination) is as long as your last name is Christian.

I always appreciated this family for being real. They had their troubles and problems, rebellious children and all. But no matter what they loved each other and they served God and in the end that was what made all the difference.

Thank you Mrs. Graham for being a wonderful example of a pastor's wife to me. You were an example for thousands I am sure and you did not let us down. Thanks for keeping it real.

7 comments:

Corrie said...

I had many of the same sentiments about Ruth Graham. What a legacy she has left!

Anonymous said...

I beleive your daughters could say the same things that Franklin said about Ruth!!! CR

Unknown said...

What a tribute to a mother! I can't think of anything better to be remembered for. Thank you for sharing that, and for your thoughts.

Betty's Loosing Race said...

What an inspiration to be a better mom!

Thanks for sharing!
~Betty~

Mindy said...

AMEN Robin.
Oh to be at home exactly the person our congregation pushes me up on a pedestool to be.........
As much as it sometimes irritates me that they think hubby and I don't have human struggles -- how awesome would it be to live up to those expectations?!!?
Only be the grace of God and hopefully one day I can do this as obviously Ruth Graham did!

Special K ~Toni said...

I still can't believe it. I lived in the town next to Montreat, where the Grahams lived, for many years. They were a very familiar sight on the streets.

Mishel said...

I had read the comment from her son in a news report and thought-what a wonderful tribute to his mother and what a legacy she left!