A Story About Billy Graham

I have mourned with a legion of people in recent weeks over the death of Billy Graham.   While I never met Rev. Graham,  I have met many people that were connected  to him in some way. For example,  my daughter, Heather, was in high school with his grandson, Will Graham, who is an evangelist now.  My wife, Ann, is a 4^th or 5^th cousin to Billy Graham.    Back in 1999,  I had the priviledge to meet Cliff Barrows at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in St. Louis.    Leighton Ford, brother in law of Billy Graham, was the evangelist speaking in my hometown of Burlington who planted the seed that led to my own commitment to Christ back in 1970.  I was grateful when over 10 years ago that I connected with Rev. Ford and had a chance to thank him  for his impact on my life.  

There is much that I could say about Billy Graham, but I will not use this forum to share all that could be said about his impact on my life and on our world.   I will simply share a story that his second daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, shares.   When Anne was getting ready to graduate from high school many years ago,   she asked her parents if she could drive the family car to the graduation ceremonies.  She had to be there early, and her family would come later.  On the way down the winding road from their home to her high school,  Anne hit a tree beside the road.  After inspecting the damage on the passenger side of the car,  she went on her way to the  ceremonies never telling her parents about the mishap.   Getting home late that night, she encountered her father, Billy Graham,as he was  getting a glass of water in the kitchen.  She told her father something like this:  “Daddy,  I had an accident on the way to school tonight.  I messed up the side of the car.   I am sorry I did not tell you until now.    Her father responded:   “Anne, I knew about it right after it happened because of the neighbors called me.   I did not say anything about it at school tonight.  I was just waiting for you tell me.”   

There are so many of us that have made a wreck of not our car, but of our lives. There are things we have done and not done that have made a wreck of our world or ourselves.   Whether we have been President of the United States or an average Joe or Jan, through the decades there has been a spiritual father nearby, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, waiting for us to not only to tell him  about it but waiting to lead us and point us to Christ.     Billy Graham has gone now for a joyous reunion with his  heavenly Father.  That same Father still waits for one and all to speak to him and come to him.   Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I  thank you for the life of Billy Graham and for all those who showed and shared Christ among us.   Grant that through your Spirit, I might do likewise. Amen.