Lunch with Billy Graham
November 2nd, 2009 Posted in Pastor's corner, family, travelI was speaking last week at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove when I received the message that Billy wanted my wife Cathe and me to come visit him at his home in Montreat. We were excited to see him again, and quickly agreed.
Around 11:00 A.M. on that day, we made the familiar drive up the winding road that leads to the home of the man who I believe to be the greatest evangelist in human history. I’ve had the privilege of being alone with Billy on many occasions, but have always had a bit of trepidation. After all, he is Billy Graham!
That’s not to say that Billy acts like a “famous person.” In fact, he’s one of the most humble and down-to-earth men I have ever met. He’s the kind of person who will ask you how you are or what you think about a certain thing, and then actually listen to your answer with great interest.
It always surprises me when he does that. I think to myself, “What could I possibly say to Billy Graham that he hasn’t already heard?” But one of this great man’s qualities is that he is always hungry to know more, to grow more spiritually, and to become more like Jesus.
When we arrived, we were given a seat at the table where we sat on a previous occasion with his beloved wife Ruth (now in heaven) and his son Franklin. The food was arranged on the same lazy susan, placed so that you could turn it and get what you wanted.
The last time I sat at that table, however, Ruth herself had prepared the meal—and washed the dishes beneath a little sign that hung over her sink: “Divine service will be conducted here three times daily.”
Her presence was greatly missed.
Some tasty BBQ and all the fixings were placed on the table, and we waited for Billy to come join us. He entered the room,and there was that familiar face—the gentle smile and piercing eyes we’ve all come to know so well.
Billy is 91 now.
But he is still every bit Billy Graham. My wife described him as “a lion in winter.”
He asked me to pray over our food, and we chatted a bit about different things. I brought up Ruth, and recalled the happy memory I had of being with her here at this same table.
“Thank you for remembering her,” he said.
This is something that people tend to forget when someone is grieving over a loved one who is gone. The one left behind still thinks about their departed loved one all the time, but others seem to forget—or at least they don’t bring up their name, for fear of adding to their friend’s sorrow. In fact, remembering a loved one who has died may bring joy and a smile to the bereaved person.
I told Billy about our son Christopher going to heaven the previous year, and that he was in heaven with Ruth now. Billy remembered and told us he had prayed for us. One of things that had so touched us was a letter he had written shortly after Christopher died, and the way he spoke of Christopher’s “sudden departure to heaven.” I liked the way he said that, and have used that same phrase myself many times in the days since.
Billy’s daughter Gigi joined us, and we chatted about many things, but Billy said very little. He hasn’t lost his sense of humor, however, and would occasionally say something amusing, including the moment when he looked at me and said, “Never get this old!”
He asked me my age, and I told him (56).
“You’re still a young man!” he said.
I liked hearing that, too!
When Gigi asked me what I was going to speak on that night at The Cove, I told her that my topic was heaven. I mentioned how heaven is a lot different than many people think, and that the Bible says quite a bit about it. Billy asked me to tell him more, so I gave him a four-minute overview of my message.
I said that in heaven, we will worship the Lord, serve Him, and eat together. I talked about how heaven is a city, a country, and a paradise. These are all things that have become far more real to me with my son Christopher now in heaven.
Billy was totally tuned in, listening carefully. I could see that familiar twinkle in his eyes as he drank in these biblical truths.
When I was done, he repeated each point I made back to me and then said, “That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing that with us!” Then he said that he didn’t know who he would see first when he got to heaven, Ruth or Jesus. Perhaps both, I told him.
The time had come for us to leave, so we said our goodbyes. I told Billy that I loved him and would see him again. He looked me in the eyes and said, “I will see you again in heaven!”
I told him I would see him before that, I was sure, but he said nothing else about it. He told us that he prayed for us often and listened to me speak on the radio and TV, and thanked me for my ministry.
We hugged, said our goodbyes, and then made our way back down the driveway of his mountain home.
I thought to myself that Billy Graham is the most godly man I have ever met. And his wife Ruth was the most godly woman I had ever met. What a honor it has been for me to know them.
And even if I do see him again on this earth, I know that I will see Billy in heaven, along with my son Christopher, Billy’s wife Ruth, and many others who have gone before us. That is our hope that Billy has so faithfully preached about all these years. And he has lived it as well. What a wonderful legacy!
Thank God for Billy Graham.
Click here to read about this from my wife Cathe’s point of view.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Wow is all I can say…and yes, Thank-You
Beautiful, Greg, beautiful!
I always tell my youth group and friends that the 3 people I would love to have lunch with are Billy Graham, Brett Favre, and the lead singer from Audio Adrenaline. Thank you for your ministry!
Thank you so much for that beautiful story. My daughter, Stacey went to heaven at 16. We adopted her in Riverside in 1972 while in the Air Force there. I have followed you closely since your son went home. You are helping so many bereaved parents. Bless you for that and for your strong faith.
That has to be an amazing experience. Thank you for sharing and hopefully I can find the podcast of the message…I would really like to hear it.
What a blessing! Thanks!
Almost like being there. Thank you for including us in that special day. I loved what Cathe wrote as well–a different view of the same things. So kind of you both to allow us to be part of it. Billy and Ruth are amazing saints–how nice to be able to know them in Heaven someday! Heaven is a rich place, and it’s filling up with our favorite people. My son’s passing has taken away my own fear of death and Heaven.
Thank you for your devotional today, too. Your words have sustained me in the darkest year of my life.
Blessings on you and your precious family.
The Maui Johnsons
I have a good friend whose brother passed away, about 6 months ago,and have not had the right words to express how I feel. Upon reading this article God spoke to me of remembering a friend’s sorrow. I now know what to say.
Thank you for sharing.
Pastor Greg,
My husband and I wanted so badly to hear you at The Cove! We woke early that morning and left the house by 5:30 am headed towards Asheville for another reason. Our daughter was graduating form a Wilderness program in the Mountains of NC. Your wife mentioned the clouds and the rain-as we were getting closer to our destination (about 45 minutes away) we were praying and talking about everything. The sun was rising and a rainbow appeared before us for a short period of time- It seemed to be above our destination!!! GOD was talking to us and showing us He was with us!
My point is, God has been with us thru this process and He has used you to reach us, especially my husband! I do Bible studies at church (Beth Moore), listen to your messages on line, and now get your Harvest devotions. You wrote of being overwhelmed this week or last, and we were, you wrote of NO FREE PASSES and there aren’t!
On Thursday we left our daughter at a boarding school and GOD was with us. We asked for confirmation from GOD that we were doing the right thing and we got it with a phone call from the school about medical issues they were already looking into!!!
Billy Graham is a GREAT man who did and still does GOD’s work! You are a Great man of GOD doing his work! And it is working!! We were already Jesus followers, but you and others have helped our faith grow in leaps and bounds!!! GOD is so good!!!
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. And I look forward to seeing you when your are back in the great state of North Carolina!
Peace,
Susie
I am sorry for you and your families loss of Christopher!
Hi Greg
My great -aunt gave her heart to the Lord during a Billy Graham meeting in Christchurch New Zealand in the 60′s. She was never the same again and was misunderstood by her family. Being Spirit-filled I now understand her but she has long left to ‘go home’. I too would rather be at home with the Lord than on this wasting earth. You and Billy know where your loved ones Christopher and Ruth are and that is so exciting to me. But I havn’t lost someone that close except my dad and sadly I don’t know where he will be til I get there. Thanks Greg for sharing xxx
A peace that saturates to your core, that is the feeling I got when visiting the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. I went during the first of November a couple of years ago when the trees were showing off their fall beauty. It was on a weekday so it wasn’t very crowded at all. That was good, because I wanted to soak in all that I had anticipated it would be. It was a solo trip for me or so I thought. I had an escort with me from the time I stepped out of my truck in the parking lot, through the entire tour, and reflecting on what I had experienced while traveling back home. I wanted a glimpse of my Savior and to seek His presence as I saw how He used Billy Graham to minister globally! Jesus was with me as the two of us strolled through the tour and the grounds. The library has Billy’s name on it but it radiates praise, honor, glory, majesty, and love to God! Billy is an instument that God has used and continues to use and he is a huge blessing to me. I can only imagine what lunch with Billy and Ruth was like. Down home family, no airs, peaceful. A bit of heaven! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Billy! May God shower you today and everyday with HIS love!
God has done great works through Billy Graham and his ministry. When I read the devotionals and personal stories Billy shares on his website the warm, human caring qualities of this gifted man are obvious. My favorite ones to read are the insights he gets from the simply views and words of children and there experiences. Billy can find God everywhere, he is without a doubt one of God’s chosen. I can see him in heaven, deeply engaged in conversation with Jesus about God and this world. God Bless you Billy G. and I hope you are still here with us for many more years. Billy Graham has always been an extraordinary light in this dark world, thank you for your ministries Billy Graham and Greg Laurie. I know you’ll shine from heaven Billy.
Dear Pastor Greg,
Thank you so much for sharing your letter regarding “Lunch with Billy Graham”. I read it during my lunch hour at work. I can’t even imagine how it must have felt to be sitting at the table with such a Godly presence, but what an incredible blessing to have been given that opportunity not once, but on several occasions. I’m sure those are moments you will cherish forever.
God Bless you too for all you do to reach the hearts of Man for God!
While I’m reading your letter”LUNCH WITH BILLY GRAHAM” my tears fell down,I don’t know why? probably you know the answer. How I love and cherish the ministries of this man of God. I pray every night that Jesus will give him more longer and good health.” Happy Birthday Rev. Billy Graham”. Pastor Greg you are always on my prayer too! My husband and I like your bible study every Sunday. My God Bless your ministries and your family.
Thank you Greg for sharing I was very blessed!