Death touches all of us, most often on a personal level through the loss of a family member or close friend, but on occasion death’s reach is international. Sometimes it is tragic (as in the mass killings); sometimes shockingly unexpected (as in Princess Diana); sometimes sobering, causing reflection (as in Mother Teresa). But for me, the death of Billy Graham on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99, is indefinable.
On March 1st I listened to the pre-memorial service interviews, which included many international pastors, singers, and guests, all of whom had wonderful stories to tell about Reverend Graham. I witnessed the arrival of politicians and celebrities who were invited to the ceremony. But what made the greatest impression on me were the testimonies of his children––each one very different and very personal.
Gigi (the oldest) related the power of prayer and trust as she shared the poem that her mother (as a young teen) wrote as a prayer to God for her husband to be. It was both touching and revealing of the spirit and character of both her mother and father.
Franklin (#2) was called to preach the simple message of salvation just as his father had, but also spent time relating the deep love his mother and father had for each other.
Anne (middle child) shared a conversation with her father which she hoped would remind us all that our job is to love; the Holy Spirit’s, to convict; and God’s, to judge. She then went on to tell of what she believes is the prophetic nature of her father’s death on February 21, 2018, and what comes next.
Ruth’s (#4) words touched all who listened. After making mistakes her parents and family warned her about, she headed home, not knowing what to expect––judgement? condemnation? And instead was welcomed with unconditional love, her personal peek into the nature of God.
Ned (the baby), a pastor himself, said very simply, that his father was FAT (Faithful, Available, Teachable), and encouraged each one of us to be FAT as well.
The number of lives around the world that Billy Graham changed with his message is close to innumerable, but what really matters is if that message of hope and salvation has changed each of our lives—individually. I hope it has.
(Below I have included the links to access the above testimonies.)
On March 1st I listened to the pre-memorial service interviews, which included many international pastors, singers, and guests, all of whom had wonderful stories to tell about Reverend Graham. I witnessed the arrival of politicians and celebrities who were invited to the ceremony. But what made the greatest impression on me were the testimonies of his children––each one very different and very personal.
Gigi (the oldest) related the power of prayer and trust as she shared the poem that her mother (as a young teen) wrote as a prayer to God for her husband to be. It was both touching and revealing of the spirit and character of both her mother and father.
Franklin (#2) was called to preach the simple message of salvation just as his father had, but also spent time relating the deep love his mother and father had for each other.
Anne (middle child) shared a conversation with her father which she hoped would remind us all that our job is to love; the Holy Spirit’s, to convict; and God’s, to judge. She then went on to tell of what she believes is the prophetic nature of her father’s death on February 21, 2018, and what comes next.
Ruth’s (#4) words touched all who listened. After making mistakes her parents and family warned her about, she headed home, not knowing what to expect––judgement? condemnation? And instead was welcomed with unconditional love, her personal peek into the nature of God.
Ned (the baby), a pastor himself, said very simply, that his father was FAT (Faithful, Available, Teachable), and encouraged each one of us to be FAT as well.
The number of lives around the world that Billy Graham changed with his message is close to innumerable, but what really matters is if that message of hope and salvation has changed each of our lives—individually. I hope it has.
(Below I have included the links to access the above testimonies.)
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