Today is Billy Graham’s 89th birthday.  He will observe the day quietly at home with family members and close friends.  The world renowned evangelist released a statement expressing gratitude for his health, the love of his family, and the joy of looking forward to a great reunion in heaven with his beloved Ruth.

On June 14, just two weeks after the grand opening of the new Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, Ruth Bell Graham, Billy’s partner in life and ministry for 64 years went to be with the Lord.  Billy says that over the last few months he has been surprised at the depth of his grief but at the same time he has been encouraged by the magnitude of God’s grace.

“At times, I feel as if part of me has been ripped out, and in a sense that’s what has happened, because Ruth was such an important part of my life,” he said. “But my faith gives me great comfort, and I can’t imagine going through something like this without strength that only the Lord can provide.

After decades of being apart while Billy criss-crossed the globe sharing the Gospel with literally billions of people, Ruth and Billy shared the last few years of their long, devoted marriage together at their log home in Montreat, in the North Carolina mountains.  For much of the last two years, Ruth was bedridden.  Billy sat at her beside for hours at a time, talking to her, praying with her, or just holding her hand.

Just two days before she passed, Billy shared with the world that his wife was “close to going to heaven.”  In an emotional tribute, he said,  “Ruth is my soul mate and best friend, and I cannot imagine living a single day without her by my side. I am more in love with her today than when we first met over 65 years ago as students at Wheaton College.”

On the occasion of his 89th birthday, a lonely yet hopeful Billy Graham spoke of the upcoming holidays. “I am looking forward to spending the holidays with family. I know in many ways this time of year will be especially difficult without Ruth, who maintained many of our family traditions. But I am thankful for the confidence we have in Heaven. It is for this reason I will rejoice most in Christ’s birth this Christmas.”

Related:
Will There Ever Be Another Billy Graham? - June 20, 2007
Ruth Graham, 1920 - 2007 - June 16, 2007