A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.   Prov 31:10

Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007)

They say ‘behind every good man is woman who encourages him’. Ruth Bell Graham, beloved wife of the well-known Reverend Billy Graham demonstrated how to be a “wife of noble character”. She was a woman of strength and courage beyond the imagination. She stood quietly in the background as a pillar for her well known husband, raised 5 children (all of whom are in ministry today), wrote books, and lived a life of quiet inspiration. Her husband declares “Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team,……..my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.”.

I cannot imagine what life in the world’s limelight was like for her. She never gave in to the celebrity, the status. She was an example of womanhood and strength.  As an author she shared her wisdom. One particular book of interest is Prodigals and Those Who Love Them .  Admired by her children, son Franklin remembers ” She stood strong for what was biblically correct and accurate…..  Every person needs that kind of input in their life….”

We will miss Mrs. Graham and grieve our loss of her presence, but we shall rejoice for she is now at home with the Lord.  She would not have us weep for her. Here is a poem from her collection, Sitting by my Laughing Fire, titled When Death Comes

When death comes
Will it come quietly
–one may say creep—
As after a hard
And tiring day, one lies
And longs for sleep—
Ending age and sorrow
Or youth and pain?
Who dies in Christ
Has all to gain
–and a Tomorrow!
Why weep?
Death may be savage
We cannot be sure
The godly may be slaughtered,
Evil men endure;
However death may strike,
Or whom,
Who knows the risen Lord
Knows too, the empty tomb.
–Ruth Graham Bell

 Good bye Mrs. Graham, thank you for your example, for your wisdom, for your testimony. You will be missed. I look forward to meeting you one day in heaven.