June 15, 2007
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A Suitable Helper
I read this morning that Ruth Graham (87) has left this earth to be with her Savior eternally. As I was reading the article below and thought of the books I’ve read by her I was reminded of what a godly example she has left us to follow as a helpmate for her husband. Ruth wrote quite a few books in her time but I never saw her push herself forward ahead of her husband. She was ‘Billy Graham’s wife’… end of subject. Billy Graham testifies to the fact that he would have been unable to evangelize to the extent that he did it were not for her faithfulness at home. Ruth knew she was created to ‘help’ her husband and that is the legacy she leaves behind.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Billy Graham’s Wife Ruth Dies at 87
By MIKE BAKER
AP
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 14) – Ruth Graham , who surrendered dreams of missionary work in Tibet to marry a suitor who became the world’s most renowned evangelist, died Thursday. She was 87.
Graham died at 5:05 p.m. at her home at Little Piney Cove, surrounded by her husband and all five children, said a statement released by Larry Ross, Billy Graham’s spokesman.
“Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team,” Billy Graham said in a statement. “No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.
“I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we’ve had in the mountains together. We’ve rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven.”
Ruth Graham has been bedridden for months with degenerative osteoarthritis of the back and neck and underwent treatment for pneumonia two weeks ago. At her request, and in consultation with her family, she had stopped receiving nutrients through a feeding tube for the last few days, Ross said.
The family plans a private interment ceremony and a public memorial service. Those arrangement had yet to be made on Thursday.
As Mrs. Billy Graham, Ruth Graham could lay claim to being the first lady of evangelical Protestantism, but neither exploited that unique status nor lusted for the limelight.
Behind the scenes, however, Ruth Graham was considered her husband’s closest confidant during his spectacular global career – rivaled only by her father, L. Nelson Bell, until his death in 1973.
Bell, a missionary doctor, headed the Presbyterian hospital in Qingjiang, China, that had been founded by the father of author Pearl Buck. Ruth grew up there and spent three high school years in what’s now North Korea .
Comments (10)
Wasn’t she a lovely lady, inside and out! And what a lovely way to die, with your family around, in your home, knowing where you’re going! What a picture of peace and love. Now that she’s gone I’d like to read a book on her life!
I read the same article. What a wonderful blessing she was to her family. I read about the opening of their new library,and it had said she was ill at the time. Have a great weekend!Q
Yes, she was a lady who left a great legacy for us to follow. Always busy and always for others. I’ve been struck with a few other wives of prominent men, too, such as Dr. Ben Carson’s wife. In reading his book, “Gifted Hands” I was struck with the sacrificial support his wife gave and imagined a wife who would have been demanding and grumpy and thought there would have been no way he could have been such a blessing to people if she’d been that way. It truly is a challenge to be the supportive wife our husband needs and not a discouragement to him..
You are so right.. what a godly example she has left us to follow~
I’ve always admired her as a wonderful role model. What I liked about her is how she lived life to the fullest. I’ve read books about and by her but I think I’ll try and find one I haven’t read and reacquaint myself with her life and faith. Any suggestions.
I had no idea she passed away. Thanks for the post.
Grannyfox… a friend recommended a book about Ruth’s life called ’A Foreign Devil in China’ by John Pollock. I’m told it’s the story of her life in China with her father as a medical missionary. It’s next on my list! Let me know if you start it before I do. I read her book called “Prodigals and those who love them” and another book just recently that had short stories about their home life but the name escapes me. It was a pretty old book. I enjoyed both of them! Ruth will be missed! Won’t it be fun to meet her in heaven?
How incredible to be so beloved.
Heather
She´s a great woman that lived a great life beside and behind a great man!
I agree what an example she has been.
It will be wonderful to meet her in heaven.
Blessings.