TO GREAT FORGIVERS

"A Great Marriage is Made Up of Two Great Forgivers"

"DON'T BE SELFISH; don't live to make a good impression on others. BE HUMBLE, THINKING OF OTHERS AS BETTER THAN YOURSELF".
Philippians 2:3 NLT (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

HE WAS KNOWN AS "THE PASTOR TO
PRESIDENTS", WHILE HIS WIFE WAS "PASTOR TO THEIR CHILDREN",
WHILE HE WAS AWAY FROM HOME, EVANGELIZING THE WORLD

It was the late Ruth Bell Graham, wife
of Evangelist Billy Graham, who made the statement, "A great marriage is
made up of two great forgivers". In a successful union of two
individuals, egos must die. Billy Graham was the most high profile
evangelist of the 20th century. He was known as "the pastor to
presidents", while his wife was "pastor to their children",
while he was away from home, evangelizing the world. Their union was an
example of an independent woman and a man with a mission who would have a
marriage which would last for a lifetime. Although Billy's travel
schedule often kept them apart, they were able to keep their marriage vows
strong.

THE LAST BORN SON SAID, "THERE
WOULD HAVE BEEN NO BILLY GRAHAM WITHOUT RUTH GRAHAM"

They gave birth to five children, all
of whom are ardently serving the Lord, and each is involved in some type of
gospel ministry. The last born son said, "There would have been no
Billy Graham without Ruth Graham". The famous man of God leaned
heavily upon her for important decisions which affected their household, and
considered her his closest confidant and adviser. Even though he traveled
at times six months out of the year, usually having to leave her and the
children behind, their love remained vibrant. In her last years, he was
with her constantly in their hideaway-home in the mountains of North Carolina, USA. It was during this time,
that he says he fell in love with her all over again, and rekindled their
romance, while in their 80s.

"THERE ARE NO PERFECT MARRIAGES .
. . "

When there were supporters who urged
him to run for the presidency of the U.S. in the '60s, Ruth told Billy,
"I don't think people would vote for a man who is divorced". In
other words, she was saying, "No", as she recognized that for a man
of God to become President would not be a step up, but a step down. Once
when asked if she had ever considered a divorce from her husband, she answered,
"Divorce? No. Murder?
Yes". What she was saying was that they were bound together by God
for the rest of their lives, but there were times they had their
differences. Billy said, "Do we have a perfect marriage?
No. There are no perfect marriages. One going into marriage
expecting it to always be perfect has unrealistic expectations. Ours is
not perfect, but it is good".

HUMILITY AND LIFTING UP THE OTHER
PERSON ARE ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS TO A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP

The key to a long-lasting relationship is the ability to
forgive. Selfishness and self-centeredness must be put aside.
Humility and lifting up the other person are absolute essentials to a
successful relationship. When a mate lifts up the other one, he or she is
uplifting themselves. When the storms of life arise, and the marital
waters are rough, forgiveness will carry the day. If God can forgive our
transgressions, then surely we can forgive each other our weaknesses, and
proceed by the grace of God.