I'm just sitting at my computer and trying to work on the article for the Town and Country newspaper that is due by tomorrow for Thursday's edition. The article is about Stauffer Glove and Safety Manufacturing Company's 100-year anniversary. I just can't get to write the article because my mind is someplace else at this time-the death of Ruth Bell Graham, wife of world-famous evangelist Billy Graham.
Ruth Bell Graham, 87 died at her home at Little Piney Cove in Montreat, N.C on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 5:05 p.m. She was surrounded by her family at bedside. What a pleasant way to die for a woman who, since the early age, prayed to God to make her a martyr for her faith by the end of the year! Ruth Graham loved the Lord deeply to the last breath. Even though I didn't know Ruth personally, I read a lot about her from family accounts and her friends. Today (6/17) during the burial ceremony, Billy Graham told the crowd (mainly family members) that she was the best Christian friend he had ever known. Ruth Graham was buried today on the Father's Day at the foot of the cross near the recently-opened Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.
Yesterday, I was watching the funeral service for Ruth Graham held at the local Presbyterian church where she worshiped for many years. I was spiritually uplifted by the messages and stories told of Ruth by her family members. She was indeed a remarkable woman. A woman of faith.
I feel sad for Billy Graham that he had to experience the burial procedure of his beloved partner of 64 years together. Billy Graham expressed himself the desire to go to heaven to be with Ruth and Jesus Christ. I know he trusts God through this time of grief because our God is is the ultimate source for all comfort.
Below is what I shared about Ruth Graham through the special website in her memory:
"Ruth Bell Graham was a true friend of Jesus. Her passionate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is encouraging to me. Today, she sits at the feet of Jesus and worships Him continuously as she and her husband Billy Graham dreamed doing it someday. Thank you God for blessing the world with such wonderful people like Ruth Bell Graham. I'm praying that God will make Billy Graham even stronger in his faith after loosing his companion with whom he spent 64 years together. God is good in all His ways and He will bring the Graham family through their grief."
Ruth Graham Memorial: billygraham.org/RBG_biography.asp
