Ruth Bell Graham, was the extraordinary wife of evangelist Billy Graham, whose commitment to God’s will led her on a lifelong journey few could imagine. Ruth was a godly woman who was beloved by many. Among her many talents was the gift of writing. Read her words below and watch the Billy Graham TV special, “Footprints of a Pilgrim: Remembering Ruth Bell Graham,” at: https://billygraham.org/video/footprints-of-a-pilgrim/.

“The Paint of Words” by Ruth Bell Graham

I love the paint of words
the arc of phrase
the dance of metaphor
alive on the page
Bits and pieces
Bit
and pieces.
From Journals
Letters
Notebooks
Thoughts
Prayers
Observations
Sketches
The poetry of a lifetime
The footprints of a pilgrim—
I can’t remember when I wasn’t scribbling something.
I jot things down when I can’t sleep
or I’m too tired
or I need to reflect on friends
family,
frustrations,
funny moments,
Notebook upon notebook
A storehouse of memories . . .
A bit cluttered perhaps,
I admit it.
I am a pack rat.
With a “proclivity for
disorganization,” some have said.
But that’s completely untrue—I just
hate to throw anything away.
Sometimes, I wrote to capture a moment
or reflect on a thought
Sometimes, I wrote because I had to.
It was write or develop an ulcer.
I chose to write.
Now, I know how some of you might feel about poetry, so I
want to make myself perfectly clear . . .
My poems were never intended for publication.
Or recitation.
I wrote them
for myself.

Go behind the scenes with those who knew Ruth best and discover her sharp wit, God-given wisdom, and audacious faith.