Restoring Romance

(June 18, 2007)

Billy Graham came to San Diego in May 2003 in what was billed his last crusade. Many of us attended that rally. I nearly froze to death at Qualcomm Stadium. It was the third and last time I heard Dr. Graham speak in person. The first time was in 1973 at a chapel sermon for Southern Seminary (home of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism) in Louisville, KY, and once at the Southern Baptist Convention. By the grace of God, Dr. Graham was able to get in four more crusades after San Diego. But age and illness slowed him such that he finally retired in 2005 to the North Carolina home he and Ruth Graham shared during their more than sixty year marriage.

We were all saddened to learn of Mrs. Graham’s passing last week. She was indeed a remarkable woman, and the perfect mate for Billy Graham.

Dr. Graham made a comment upon Ruth’s death that blessed me. He said they had enjoyed the last couple years at Montreat, NC because it gave them time to “restore the romance of our youth”.

I don’t know how that resonates with you, but it touched my heart. I suspect Billy and Ruth Graham had about as perfect a marriage as possible. Although, I once heard Dr. Graham say, “Ruth and I have never even thought of divorce. Murder, yes! But never divorce!” Of course he was joking, and I am sure they had their trials as any couple does.

Dr. Graham’s tender statement reminds us that we may be very busy, even busy doing the Lord’s work, and forget those simple things that build strong loving relationships. Enjoying each other’s companionship; kind, loving words; simply holding hands; expressions of thankfulness and encouragement; spending time together, even enjoying the silence together; these may all get lost in a long-term relationship.

I remember when T-Baby fell in love with Tee-Nine-cy Twiner (one of the Twiner triplets: Teenie, Tiny, and Tee-Nine-cy). He would walk her to the bus stop, sit next to her on the bus, escort her to each class, make goo-goo eyes at each other during class, sat by her in the lunch room and in the auditorium during assemblies. You get the idea. We call it puppy love. It’s mushy, silly, and absolutely wonderful. It’s when two people just enjoy the presence of the other.

Old dogs can learn new tricks. I am glad the Grahams were able to rekindle their youthful love; and I am more thankful for their example; a wake up call to all Christian couples to “restore the romance of our youth”.

From the Quote Garden
“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.”
~ Author Unknown