The Reverend Billy Graham died this week. I saw him in person once, and it was a very important day in my life.
My grandmother invited my sister and me to go with her and my father’s cousin to see Billy Graham at old Jet Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. I was 11 or 12 and my sister 8 or 9. It was Sunday and there were to be two services, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. Grandma planned ahead; she took a picnic for us for between the services and a large blanket. Her fried chicken was always delicious and one of my favorites. I remember crisp red apples too.
What I remember most is Billy Graham. The singing was good and the organ music rang through the stadium. I don’t remember his words that afternoon but I do remember the certain knowledge that I needed a Savior and His name was Jesus. The evening service was similar and confirmed my need.
The seed planted that day and my grandmothers’ prayers set me aside; I was protected many times from harm that might have destroyed me until I fully accepted Jesus on September 17, 1978. Both my grandmothers rejoiced as I began to share and ask questions about their lives and faith and that of my grandfathers. I rejoiced to hear they were believers; I should have known by their lives but it wasn’t clear to me before then.
Billy Graham was used to introduce many to the idea that having a relationship with God was possible and could be achieved through His Son, Jesus Christ.
I like Kathy Lee Gifford’s analogy of sharing faith as a cure for the malignancy of the soul. Certainly, one would share a cure for cancer of the body, why not for the healing of the soul?
My purpose in this blog is to encourage believers to spend time with God daily so that their relationship will grow and strengthen over the course of time, resulting in a life that reflects His goodness and a peace that reigns no matter what their circumstances. Today I encourage anyone who sees this to ponder this question: If you died today, where would you spend eternity? My prayer is you will spend it with Jesus and His family, my family, by being adopted by God, accepting the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for all sin for all time, and receiving the gift of eternal life. Tell Him in your heart today that you need him, that you want your life to be new and different, that the peace that passes understanding is for here and now, and you choose to be God’s child, adopted and loved.
Peg-
Your post touched me. I was a counselor for Billy Graham’s last Columbus crusade – in what we then called Cooper Stadium – back in 1993. You and my wife are 2nd cousins. Your grandmother (Irene Poole) Hess was her grandmother (Gladys Poole) Botkin’s younger sister. I just thought I’d reach out and let you know that you have family back here in Ohio reading and enjoying your blog.
Vern, thank you so much. My extended family is very important to me. So glad to hear of our connection. Bill was the youngest cousin of my mother’s generation and I spent time with Aunt Gladys when my next sister was born. I remember waiting and watching for Bill to come home from school each day. He was a dear man and I still miss him. Blessings on you all!