Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love. (Psalms 119:159 NRSV Bible) Ruth Graham tells a humorous story from one of their trips to Europe. Dr. Graham and a member of his team, Grady Wilson, had left for Moscow leaving Gradys wife, Wilma, and Ruth under the watchful eye of an old college friend living in Paris, Jeanette Evans. Now dont go shopping, were Dr. Grahams final words. Ruth says that she and Wilma waited for the plane to disappear out of sight and headed for the nearest junk shop. With Jeanettes expert French they managed beautifully. Wilma found several irresistible items: among them a silver inkwell adorned with cupids. Ruth found one lovely little painting she couldnt resist--the price, translated from French currency to American, came to ten dollars. At the hotel that night in Versailles they couldnt resist unwrapping their treasures. Ruth propped her painting on the mantel over the fireplace and admired it. Wilma placed her acquisitions on the desk, likewise enjoying her lovely old French bargains. When their husbands returned from Moscow, they drove to Versailles to pick the women up. They were to begin driving to Zurich, Switzerland, that afternoon. Wilma and Ruth were packing when Grady came in to hurry them up. I like this picture so much, Ruth said on an impulse, I just think Ill take it with me. And taking her painting from the mantel, she packed it in her suitcase. Catching on, Wilma exclaimed, And I like this inkwell so much I think Ill just take it. Whereupon she picked up her cupid-decorated inkstand and, fitting it in her case, closed it. Miles on their way Ruth got to thinking about what they had done and started to laugh. Whats so funny? Grady wanted to know. So, laughing, the women told him about their trip to the junk shop, their purchases, and what they had done at the hotel. Silence. Whats wrong? Ruth asked. We spent practically nothing. Well, Grady said, its just that when Wilmas back was turned, I took the inkwell out and put it back on the desk. Grady Wilson is a good man. And it must be a thrill to be associated with Billy Graham--one of the most respected men in the world. And yet Grady Wilson will never be a celebrity. He will always live in Grahams shadow. Thats where most of us live. We have our successes. We are loved by our family and friends. And yet, when our time comes to go, the world will take little note. Like our Master, we will die somewhat in obscurity. Maybe theres a lesson here: the world may not notice, but God certainly will. Loving God, thank you for noticing the importance of my life. In Jesus name, Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 04:25:30 +0000
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