Why I'll Miss Ruth Graham

I never met her in person. Yet I felt I knew her.

Ruth Graham has been an inspiration to me since I first set up housekeeping as a wife almost 35 years ago. Married to the world's most well known evangelist for 64 years, until her death on June 14, Ruth Graham was a shining model of a Christian wife and mother.

And, thank God, Ruth Graham was, also, human. Thank God, she had a sense of humor. Once, I lost my temper, jokingly confiding to a friend, "I've never considered divorce, but murder...well?" Later, I read where Ruth had also made the same statement (of course, in jest) to former first lady, Barbara Bush.

Why do we often put famous godly people on pedestals? We think, surely they never get discouraged----they never have a sarcastic word come out of their mouths. Never struggle with any of the same thoughts that try to nest in our minds? But they do.

Ruth Graham was also blessed with a sense of humor. And she was transparent. She was real. I'm sure her sense of humor came in handy raising five children. Most of the time, she did it, alone, as her husband was away, preaching the Gospel. She been a breath of fresh air to any mother struggling to raise their children, alone. Or to any mothers left behind while their husbands are off to war. Her beloved Billy may not have been gone all those years fighting in a physical war, but as he broke down the strongholds of evil, he was definitely on the front lines of many a spiritual warfare.

She's that ray of hope and well of encouragement to any woman who's cried herself to sleep over a rebellious child, or wayward grandchild. Yes, she's been there, wearing out her knees in prayer.