Silence is Golden

This message isn't about silence as in peace and quiet - or maybe it is.

I'm talking more about a lesson from Ruth and Billy Graham - for me, especially from Ruth.

I'm almost finished reading a book by their son, Franklin Graham, "Rebel with a Cause". I wanted to get this book, because frankly, I need help in dealing with my own rebel. My 13 yr. old son.

Franklin tells how he was such a rebellious kid. He started smoking at a pretty young age, then began drinking. He got in trouble with fights at school, speeding, he stayed out late at night partying and such.

Everytime he came home late, he would find his mother sitting in a chair, reading a book or her bible. She never lectured him - she would just simply say, "I'm glad you are home safe." Then she would go to bed. He would get upset that she did that, and he would tell her not to wait up for him, but night after night, there she would be. Her silence and love drew out his guilt and caused him to want to come home earlier.

He got kicked out of college 2 weeks before graduation. It was the most shame he had felt, having to drive from Texas to North Carolina and face his parents, knowing how much money he wasted, how much of a disappointment he must be - and that he would have to start over somewhere else. He drove up at home, and with his head barely lifted, walked up to his front porch where his mom was waiting for him. He couldn't even look her in the eyes.

Ruth wrapped her arms around him and welcomed him home. Neither she nor Billy said one word to him about it.

Isn't that amazing?

They knew most of what he was doing, and how he was living his life. Instead of lecturing and nagging (my tendency), they prayed about him. Instead of driving him further into rebellion, their love drew him to them and eventually to their faith. They showed him unconditional love, and knew God had made him the way he was for a reason.

It wasn't until Franklin was an adult did he really commit his life to Christ and live for Him.

Oh, I need to learn many lessons from this book.

The other is something we all need to learn in our Christian walk.

He shares many stories of his work in other countries with missionaries. How they worked in conditions we can't imagine, and their needs were huge. And instead of making their needs known to others, or begging for money from charitable organizations, they did something else.

They would get on their knees and let their requests and needs and prayers be known to God. He had called them to what they were doing, and He knew their needs and He would take care of them. He shared how in miraculous ways, God made a way. When a bill was due, or they needed medical supplies, or a bigger facility to help more people, God always came through. Never early, never late, and usually it was exactly the amount they needed.

Oh, that I would simply get on my knees in prayer about all things, and trust God would work it out, instead of worrying and stressing.