Wrapped

I went to the beach for my annual vacation. I love the beach and each year ask God to renew my spirit. The weather was perfect and while I was there we had a full moon. The reflection dancing on the waves…the higher than usual tide… I just love everything about the beach. Except the sand on the floors!

Maybe you know that each year I ask the Lord for a special something during my beach week. One year as I prepared to go to Angola Prison God gave me a message about the beauty of broken shells – I shared that with you all. How I applied that to broken lives – the beauty revealed in brokeness…

This year, it wasn’t a specific request but I knew I needed to hear from Him in a special way. I have had such a busy Spring and I just wanted a touch from Him – I was so weary.

As is my custom, I walked the beach early each morning with my iPod of praise music. About half way into my vacation I decided to leave the iPod at home. I wanted quiet so that I could hear Him but also not be distracted from my own heart’s praise. I am easily distracted and go down so many diferent rabbit trails.

The last morning I got up before dawn (and this time of year that is about 6:30 AM). It was quite dark but I got up and found my way to the beach by the light of the moon. It was almost like daylight. No one else was out. I began my treck down the beach knowing that when I turned around I would be facing the sunrise. My footprints were the only ones.

As always my eyes scanned the sand for shells. This year I hadn’t found anything new and really did not have hopes to find anything. I found some baby’s ears, sea urchins, slipper shells, always the clam shells…As I looked down the beach and saw several patches of shells deposited on the beach by the overnight waves, my thought was ,”Oh no! I have to look at all those. I am in a huury to pack and get going!” (can you imagine?!) But that morning as the sun came up and I searched the sand I found 4 perfect unbroken sea urchins and a perfect little welk. Usually I find broken pieces of welks. Such beauty even in their brokenness. And then I found a perfect tiny auger! I had never found one before. God gave me something new!

Not sure where God is going with that but I feel He has something new for me – for all of us as we follow Him.

As I turned to go back to the cottage, the sun was rising but in the West the moon was setting. I felt wrapped in His care and mercy – East and West.

“All things are yours…any ye are Christ’s and Christ is God’s”. (I Corintihans 3:21)

, , , ,

Real Power

In keeping with the “birds on the runway”…it is obvious I was walking near the runway. Actually, quite close. Being a small island, everything is close! But the road ran right along the airport perimeter fence.

Most mornings a much smaller propeller plane took off. But on the weekends, there was jet service into the island.

So…on a weekend morning a jet was scheduled to take off. I could watch the people board and the luggage being loaded – all the pre-flight activity through a space in the shrubbery. I was fascinated. Maybe I travel too much!!

Then I heard the engines come to life as the plane began its very slow taxi to the end of the runway. I got impatient with the slowness so resumed my walk. Soon I heard the whine of the motors as it turned and began to speed down the runway for take off.

It rushed down the runway in a crescendo of roar and wind that was overwhelming as it climbed into the sky. Though I could not see it, I could feel and hear it. The takeoff was a mighty show of power as the enormous plane lifted off the ground. It was quite a real (but infinitesimal) illustration of God’s power for me.

“The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.” (Joel 3:16)

That prophecy seems so very relevant for our world today. And with all the noise in Washington, Damascus, Moscow, Tehran and elsewhere, it reminds us that God is still powerful over all the events. He is in charge. His way will prevail.

, , , , ,

The Birds on the Runway

I spent the last week on Cayman Brac at the “barefoot and Breaking Free” retreat hosted by Mary and Russ Brandes – very special people.

The island is small – only 12 miles long! Each morning I got up to walk just as it was dawning. Even then it is hot and humid. My walk took me parallel to the airport runway. One morning after a storm I noticed puddles along my path. A fence separated me from the tiny airport but I could see the lights and the commotion as the early morning flight was preparing to board.

I continued my walk and came upon a flock of birds bathing in a storm- left puddle. The were inside the perimeter fence, just feet from the runway. They seemed to be having a grand time splashing in the water as well as picking at any bugs or grain they spotted.

They were oblivious to the airport activity. The folks who had gotten up early, packed their bags, ate a hurried breakfast, driven to the airport, said their goodbyes…I could only speculate but perhaps there was one rushing to the bedside of a loved one, another to the funeral of a friend, a harried business man concerned for the future, a grandmother eager to see a new grand baby…who knows the many and varied reasons the folks were traveling that morning.

As one who travels frequently, I am in an airport now, I can tell you if the stress of travel. I have written about it. No doubt that morning was stressful for some. Perhaps fear of flying over open water was causing stress…

But those little birds were carefree. They trusted the bounty of God’s care. They were secure in God’s love. I thought about that. Why can’t I trust God that way? Why do I add to my stress by worrying.

Even now with a 24-hr flight delay I am fretting about the days ahead. Can I get everything done in time to leave again on Friday?

I am reminded of the birds…”Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable to him then they are?” (MT 6:26 NLT)

Of course we are. He takes great care of our every need. Will you believe that for today? Will I?

, , , ,

News and Photos!

I have heard from many of you that you were praying for my daughter, Windsor. Thank you. Thank you. We have a merciful and gracious God.

Thursday, Windsor went to the cardiologist at the University of Pennsylvania hospital. By the time she got there she had worked herself up into quite a state – to the point of being ill. She was so afraid she wouldn’t see her children grow up.

The doctor was very reassuring. He told her not to worry – he wouldn’t even call it an aneurism but rather an enlarged aorta. (Let’s hear if for second opinions!) He said he would watch it each year with an echocardiogram but that she could go on and live her life fully – taking good care of herself. He said as she approached menopause, he’d be more attentive but for now she was good to go!

Oh what a relief that was to all of us but especially her. She had really worked herself up to the point of being ill.

God was gracious to us. And I know there are those of you for whom God has not answered a prayer of yours – your loved one is still ill, or foreclosure is looming, or your spouse has left… I don’t have answers…My daughter’s situation could have been very different. But I have learned that regardless of the circumstances, God is still loving, wise, compassionate, gracious, trust worthy… He does not change and we can fully rely on Him.

On a different note…all of my siblings and I gathered at my father’s home on Thursday for lunch. It was the first time we had all been together since my Mother’s death 6 years ago. It was terrific to all be together and I believe my Father was pleased. There was a lot of conversation, laughter, stories, good food. (When we get together our personalities show up: Gigi cooks up a plan; Anne tells us what to do; Franklin tells us why we cannot do it; Ned intellectualizes it and, I go just along!)

My Father was funny…he wears dark glasses in the house and sat half way through the meal with them on chattering away with Franklin and Anne. Then he took them off and said something to the effect, “Oh, I wondered who I was having lunch with!” He is not only struggling with dimming eyes but also his hearing. His sense of humor is still in tact and he is as dear as dear can be. I thought you’d like to see a photo:

My Father with all five cchildren

Grateful

Thank you all so much for praying for my father. As I have shared before it is always difficult to get that kind of news anytime but especially when you are “on the road”. But it was a precaution so that his congestion did not worsen. At 93 we cannot afford to take chances. He is better and I am hoping he will be discharged shortly. He is in good spirits and looking forward to Christmas. I am planning on going by to see him for myself later this week.

I had a good trip to Missouri to speak for the Vitae Foundation. They are an organization that helps fund advertising, media spots, radio and TV ads for Crisis Pregnancy Centers. So if you see an ad or billboard or hear a radio spot for a pro-life agency, no doubt the Vitae Foundation is behind it. The are a wonderful support agency helping to get the all important message out that there is an alternative to abortion. I was honored to be a small part of their event.

My grandson, Payson, had surgery this morning to remove a piece of tissue that was blocking his airway and while in there they were going to remove his adenoids as well. This piece of tissue was making his force air over his vocal chords much more than is normal. So with it removed it will take a day or two to realize he doesn’t have to force so hard – of course after he has healed. Slowly but surely they will get him off all the medical equipment. I am grateful that we have access to excellent medical care in this country. (That is not a political statement.)

My blog is up on BeliefNet: blog.beliefnet.com/safeplacewithruthgraham/

It’s an entirely different blog – less personal. I am tackling the subject of transparency and authenticity. Take a look and let me know what you think.

New Blog and My Father

I trust you all had a happy Thanksgiving. I had all of my childrena and grandchildren this year – the first time in years! Around the table we had 12 adults and 10 children – 8, 8 yrs. and younger. It was wild – fortunately, I had done a lot of cooking ahead of time. My son, Graham, is still here. I am enjoying the extra company and time with him – I don’t get that very often.

Well, I am now blogging for BeliefNet.com. Visit me there! http://blog.beliefnet.com/safeplacewithruthgraham/

I am hoping to get good feedback from it as I continue to beat my drum for transparency and authenticity within the Church.

I head out today for Missouri, my last plane trip of the year!

Just got a call from my father’s chief of staff. My father is back in the hospital with congestion. They admitted him to be proactive – at 94 it is best to be extra careful. Please pray for him and the doctors and nurses.

And pray that I will be focused on the task at hand.

Mistake Corrected

Oh dear! I was “called on the carpet” this week.  I was mistaken when I said my mother’s older sister was 94 years old. She let me know that she is not 94! I was wrong…please forgive me Aunt Rosa.  So…to be very careful, I’ll just let it stand that you are my mother’s wise, beautiful, spunky older sister…I know she misses her siblings terribly…no one with whom to share those China childhood memories. (My mother, was born in China and lived there until she was 18 years old when she went off to Wheaton College.) When mother was nearing heaven Aunt Rosa came to visit and they spent hours talking about China – such a happy childhood for them. Mother loved China, the Chinese people and all things pertaining to China.

I had a great trip to Ashland Seminary this week in Ashland, Ohio. They have a program called, Women in Dialogue, and asked me to come speak for them. It was a full house…I spoke of my faith journey, the good, the bad and the ugly, then answered questions and signed books. Everyone was so warm – I had a great time. The next day I had the delight to finally meet David Aikman – we had breakfast together. He is a dear friend of my parents – accompanying them to China in 1988. He has written extensively about my father in, Billy Graham, His life and Influence.  He also mentored my collaborative writer, Stacy Mattingly, an extremely gifted writer who has been teaching at Boston University. She is a dear to me. David and I had a lot to talk about.

Then I was given the intimidating privilege of speaking in the Seminary chapel – my topic was, Fear Not Tomorrow. Afterwards my friend, Pastor JC Church, whom I had met through James Robison, picked me up and took me to his church. He is very supportive of my vision for encouraging the Church to become a safer place for broken people. He is a dynamic pastor in north central Ohio. I met with his church leadership and we had a great time of fellowship. They are doing transparency. I applaud them. On the long drive to the Cleveland Airport yesterday I asked him what he was preaching on this Sunday (today) and he preached me a rich sermon. I loved it!

A full trip…on Saturday morning I awakened at 3:30 AM. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t so spent concentrated time with God. He spoke very clearly to me about some things in my life I have to deal with. I think I told you back in the summer when I was on that trip to Canada – and jumped off the cliff – that one of the men in the group just happened to mention the words “submit” and “obey”. They struck my heart. During this early morning time, God put HIs finger on the areas where I need to submit and obey. And now I must do it! I’ll keep you posted.

By the way, I am starting a new blog on BeliefNet called “A Safe Place with Ruth Graham”. Should be up this week.

Birthdays and Family

Today is my father’s 93rd birthday! Happy Birthday, Daddy!

So many ask me how he is doing. He is just great!

I went home to see him over the weekend as well as to see my mother’s older sister, Rosa, who flew in from Seattle. She’s 94! And my mother’s sister’s widower, John, and mother’s brother’s widow, Peggy. Plus lots of cousins…a fun time. My daughter, Noelle, arranged and organized a spaghetti dinner for Saturday night and we had a blast. Daddy enjoyed himself and stayed for 2 hours! I tried to take pictures but they are out of focus…woe is me.  My son-in-law, Todd, is a professional photographer; he captured the moment…now to get  picture from him!

My father is engaged, articulate and very with it! He even demonstrated for my children and grandchildren his pig call! And, believe me his voice is strong! His sense of humor is in good shape as well as the twinkle in his eyes.

For years we have told Daddy that people want to hear from him. That they miss him. He never did quite believe us figuring he had left the stage and people had forgotten him. Well, we have finally gotten proof that isn’t true. His new book is selling well and he is delighted. It’s given him a new lease on life!  It is so exciting for me to see. I have even told him to begin to think about writing another book entitled “Salvation”. Let’s hope no one tampers with this one.

It was a beautiful drive down from Virginia through the Tennessee Mountains on I 26 to cross over into Asheville. The leaves are passed the peak but sill lovely – the red oaks, the yellow poplars, the green pines…and the blue sky. This is the view from my father’s front yard…notice the children’s red wagon in the foreground.

I enjoyed having both my daughters with me – my son, Graham, is on the N.C. coast helping rebuild after the hurricane so was unable to come. We “girls” had a great time together. My girls have wonderful memories of Montreat when they were young and they want their children to have happy memories there as well. Montreat is a special place – it has been a secure place for them. With all the upheaval they went through after their father and I divorced, Montreat was a very stable and secure place. When all else was in chaos, Montreat was welcoming and safe. We all need/want that kind of place in our lives. My father gave me such a place and certainly my Heavenly Father has given me security and safety.

 

Ears and Sacrifice?

A chilly morning this morning and now they are calling for snow! It was 77 degrees yesterday. Wow! What a change…but it’s cozy inside.

This morning I was reading my Daily Light, a devotional book that I have used since I was a little girl. Each day is divided into morning and evening and is a compilation of scriptures that are related by subject. A wonderful book. I prefer the old King James Version since that was the way I have always read it and it is familiar. Anyway, one of the verses this morning was from Psalms 40. verse 6 to be precise. It says, “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire: mine ears hast thou hast opened…” I stopped and thought what do ears have to do with sacrifice? It seemed like an odd juxtaposition. I looked in my marginal notes to see if there was any clarification. It said for he word, “opened” possibly could mean, “pierced”.

In ancient days when a slave was to be freed yet chose to stay with his master; the master pierced the slave’s ear. Then I recalled Romans 12:1 where Paul encourages us to make our bodies a living sacrifice. I then interpreted the meaning to be that of God not wanting sacrifices. He would have us choose to be a living sacrifice. Giving Him our total selves. That made sense to me. It isn’t easy but that’s what God wants from me – all of me. No less than that.

Then I read from my New Living translation and the Psalms 40:6 reads this way: “You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand – you don’t require burnt offferings or sin offerings…I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Often we give God what we want to give Him. We follow the “law”: getting up early for devotions, tithing, being kind to our neighbor even though their dog barks incessantly, being at church every time the doors open…you know the drill. Trying to please God on my terms. While all of that is good, it’s not what He desires – He wants all of me. And all of you.

Seeds of Hope and Joy

Well, October’s bright blue weather has faded to gray rain. But boy, did we have some gorgeous weather for 2 weekends in a row! I went down to see my father last weekend – the drive over the mountains was spectacular – the leaves must have been at their peak. Lots of people on the highway sightseeing and the mountains didn’t disappoint. Everything was in a golden light.

My father was doing well…weaker but in good spirits. His new book came out yesterday. Sadly, someone tampered (not the publisher) with his manuscript so it isn’t exactly as he wanted. My father had wanted a book for the unbeliever…not hit them up with Bible verses and “god-talk” but instead tell about his aging process and give practical helps. Then towards the end of the book give the plan of salvation. The way it has been redone it starts off with Bible verses and “god talk.” I think it grieved him but he always thinks the best of people. I have to admit I am angry about it – this could be his last book and to have someone change it is unconscionable. However, I encouraged him to start working on another one.

This week I was reading Psalms 126:5-6. “Those who sow in tears with reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” What hit me was the fact that this man was weeping and sad  but he carried his bag of seed. I see that as a statement of hope. Seed has promise…and he did not let that go even when the circumstances were difficult. God honored that. When we are sad, we can’t see ahead, sometimes we want to give up – even on God. But God honors those who don’t quit even as tears course down their face. If we keep faith and trust in Him in the darkest of times he will honor it. And joy will result.