My mother was in the kitchen and my dad came in my room about 11:00 PM, woke me up when I was 10 years old and said "I'm leaving". I thought he was going to work because he had odd hours as a railroad engineer and I said "Ok, I love you and I'll see you when you come back". He said "No, I'm leaving". He did wait until my brother came home from a date. It was right before Christmas. He had a mistress waiting across town to drive to another city where he was working at and never came back. There are stories throughout the years, and I even tried to talk to him about this night, but was shut down. We did get to talk for many hours because he developed bone cancer and passed 4 years ago. When he passed though, I strangely had an emotional peace about the abandonment from that night and the following years, because I knew it could never be fixed and I let it go through God's help. I think I was trying all my life to "fix it" and there was no more reason to try to do that with him. I did have my Grandfather, that was an AMAZING man. My dad did find the Lord Jesus throughout the years, so I know he will have eternal life. I have forgiven him and I find a lot of peace from that. If I could tell my 10 year old self anything, I would tell myself not to define your life through anyone else but Christ. He will direct you and will never leave you nor forsake you.
Yes it is so hard to grow up with out that support of a father. My dad came back as an angel to save my child and grandchildren from a fire. My grandson told me later my dad had visited him in their new home. He said Papa told me he would always be with me. I said Jacob what does that mean then he said. He said i was a peacemaker. My dad would be his guardian angel. He also told him he wished he had stayed with my mother and my family. Divorce is never easy. He came back from the grave to apologize for leaving. Love your parents for we all make mistakes. None are perfect we are all born with a flaw.
Billy Graham was and will forever be the messenger of "the Gospel" that changed the lives of millions of souls. Son's and daughter's of Billy Graham will forever live on. From North East India Nagaland.
For those condemning Billy Graham, I think it is important to remember that most of the generals who have gone before us may not have had the information we have today. Now we have a better opportunity to learn from their remarkable impact and also mistakes through the many platforms and channels available
I love her transparency and honesty! She’s going to help free so many people from denying the actuality of wounds in their hearts. God bless you sister Graham.
This is my life! Thank you, Ruth for speaking out about this. As a child, how could I argue that I was more important than God’s work? I now understand why I have gone from marriage to marriage, and my desire to be loved and feel loved has caused me to ignore the red flags. This one video opened up a door to my healing in God, thank you!
Ty for sharing this, my parent's were divorced before I began elementary school, and I was abandoned by him and searched for that relationship ( in all the wrong ways) most of my life, then I met my heavenly Father through Jesus and I am no longer abandoned.
Military kids go thru this too. Our dads are gone a lot and we just went on with our lives with our moms, siblings and friends. We moved on average of every 3 years.
My wife, born and raised in South East Asia, and her family became close friends with a missionary from New Zealand. A kind and Godly man. Long after we got married and settled in Australia, my wife made contact with the gentleman, kept in touch, and we eventually met him on a couple of occasions. On the final visit, not long before he died, we thought that his adult children would give him a glowing reference. They spoke of the burden of their mother, raising kids in a country town on her own for weeks at a time. Time after time. My wife and I were really taken by surprise by the deep hurt within the family. I hope Ruth Graham's message can be of assistance to families like this.
Jason Ayres As a former MK, I can say this is how it was for many. Everyone’s dad was off doing God‘s work, which conveniently also happened to mean he could just abdicate all family responsibilities.
May God help my child to forgive me for all the pain I caused them, all the absence and not meeting their needs, promising and failing them, help me to forgive my dad for promising and not doing, help me to forgive others from my heart, and finally to forgive myself in Jesus might name, Brethren pray for me to encounter God in Jesus name.
Ruth. I was just thinking of a preacher I knew that was so dedicated and always dwn at the church to help. ....... one day when the family was getting ready for church.... the son would not get ready. The son said. He hated the church and everything about it. The son said the church stole his dad from him... and he said he would never go to church again. It shocked the father/preacher.and he immediately went dwn to the congregation and said he would have to cut his time dwn at the church or he would lose his son to ever wanting to go. It helped.
This short interview brought tears to my eyes. Too many little girls' hearts are broken and they don't mend and this affects all their relationships. 😢💔
I can relate because my father has been a godly man all his life but has emotionally abandoned me since birth. I have four siblings and can't speak for them. But for me I'm still working on forgiveness toward him. Thank you Ruth for your testimony.
Thank you for your honesty. I've seen ministers' kids who go through so many issues. As a PK, I grateful my parents chose us over ministry. I know my dad could have done so much more in the ministry, but he preferred to stay home with us. That helped us in our relationship with God But boy did he admire Billy Graham!
We have been with Ruth as she shared her journey, and there were few dry eyes as she told of her own struggles and missteps. We have all had our own battles and learning experiences. Praise the Lord for His gentle kindness and mercy toward us!!! This is a humble, sweet woman! We loved hearing her share.
So is there a way if I can't forget the damage consequences that my heart is bleeding from childhood abuse lifelong abuse what do I actually do when I continually feel anger towards the person that wounded me everytime I look at my circumstances the consequences
Thank you for the truth! Makes me tear up because people needed to hear what you went through. I feel broken after 2 failed marriages. Thanks for the comfort.
om..God !! this was incredibly relatable incredibly poignant incredibly needed incredibly honest incredibly refreshing God knows what He's telling those who choose to serve Him when He says.. COUNT THE COST!!! the anointing isn't cheap!
Very good and honest interview. Very well spoken by Ruth Graham. Respect her boldness to share something very true that I am sure someone can relate to and receive healing from. I am sure the book will be a good read.
My parents supported the Billy Graham ministry and every year at Christmas we received their family Christmas card with a photo of their family. I always thought they looked so happy. We all wear masks and it's good to hear the 'truth' from members of families we thought had it all together. Billy Graham's ministry brought a lot of people to the Lord, but there had to be a personal price paid. I remember hearing Billy Graham praise his wife for being there for the children when he was not and I recognized it hurt his heart but he had to respond to God's call on his life. No matter who has hurt us whether purposefully or not, I agree with Ruth. We can make the decision to forgive and that will open the door for the Holy Spirit to heal our hearts. Life is such a struggle for most of us because the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy. We have victory only in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It takes some of us longer than others to understand this but when we do we find freedom that we appreciate all the more for what we have been through. What a wonderful testimony for those of us who also made many mistakes and suffered the consequences on this earth. One great Day, we will be with the Lord and no longer suffer from the results of sin and shame.
So sad for you. Ever think he might have gone through the same thing with his father? History repeats itself. Now you have a heavenly father to look after you. Just remember God loves you. Love your father if he still alive though. Someday you will understand why. We are looking through a dark glass trying to see the other side.
I can relate to abandonment. It is still a struggle I have to seek Jesus as my father. Since I didn't have a father, I don't naturally trust God in that way. It's been a total disaster in my past relationships and still affects my marriage but thankfully I know the truth about why I am the way I am and just need to keep pushing for healing. Its never too late.
Someone ways has to pay the price when fathers work long hours or away from home. It is good to hear this from our sister Ruth. She speaks for many. Finding the way to forgiveness helps to bring wholeness.
Hannah Yaawusuah Adjepong That is very true. My father also traveled so much in ministry as well. Thanks to my mother’s wisdom and love, I somehow trusted God with it. But when you obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit there are those in your family will be paying a price for it. But God is faithful to return that price 30, 60, 100 fold! I can testify to that.
Really?!! You're angry because your dad was Billy Graham? What a wonderful role model you had; and when he was there, you were loved. My father was a narristic predictor that did everything he could he diminish my self worth. I was elated when he wasn't home. Count your blessings.
@@kathyshogue2149 "my mother's wisdom and love "..wow, thanks for sharing that. Shows how a mother's love in capable of covering in the midst of harsh realities.
Thank you for sharing this. Thank Ruth for sharing her story. It truly is comforting to hear such a testimony. It is also wonderful to see how Ruth models and keeps honor and dignity towards her father but is still honest about her pain. Thank you and God bless you dearly Ruth. In Jesus name, Amen x
Powerful and honest video the church needs to hear. I know several families where spouses and children suffered from imbalanced ministry obsession. Not only that, I so appreciate her candor about her personal, real, struggles. Tastefully presented. May God richly bless the rest of her journey❤
I was married to a man whose father was a minister and put that before his kids which took its toll on him. Conversely my father was also a minister but never put us 2nd which made all the difference. I get this SO much! Thank you for sharing your story Sister Graham!
I can understand. But, I usually went with Daddy everywhere he went for a long time. But there were MANY times being a PK left me and my needs unnoticed, more because my Mother shielded Daddy from us kids over several years when he was too busy to slow down and recognize while he built a church building and ministered to others, his own kids were so in need for a Father and a Pastor. Those wounds have impacted us in m9re ways than we could have ever imagined. I dearly love my parents, and the time for picking at scars is passed. Daddy has been promoted to Papa, and though many people call him that, I know I was his first child and tell him so occasion, just to keep the record straight.
I struggled greatly with forgiveness issues growing up and I don’t think that I would call this abandonment but it felt like it in a way and that is the death of my dad at 15. I was 14 when he became sick and when he died I felt incredibly alone. Saying that doesn’t even give it justice to how it felt. It was a very dark time. After my dad died, all my grandparents died 3 years later. I was very near death soon after and miraculously survived without permanent damage. As the years went on, it was one big storm after another and to this day I have my share of medical challenges. I was serving as a missionary with YWAM and had to give it up. I’ve felt like God had given up on me and I had struggled with feeling that abandonment since my dad died and every hardship since. However it know that God is moving and I am really trying to remain fruitful and trusting Him. It’s a daily struggle but I know that God has me in His hands and is working for the good.
This is wether God saying you have to fix something and you have to talk to him to settle it or something else regarding test that By evil on you but stay faithfull God and cast Satan in the name if Jesus Christ the name above all name like no authority man made can make is that The name that can do everything the name of Jesus the name of authority Cast the devil and tell them not to come back ,even when you cast the devil they are times they can come again just cast them again I give you what I received freely its yours too now
This was a powerful message. Forgiveness is so important not just for others but also for ourselves. And to forgive ourselves too and let go whatever we feel shame for knowing God’s grace is sufficient.
@@c.g.ryderii2405 Really? So you believe God harms children to bring his mission about? Or was it that Mr. Graham was not wrong in excessive traveling, etc, but rather in not establishing a household with his wife to that supports the kids more to better cope? Not rhetorical, I'm seriously seeking for someone to expound. What would be the answer?
Maybe the answer lies in the fact that no one, not me, my husband, my dad or any of the Grahams were/are perfect. Maybe the only Perfect answer is a Person. And His Name is Jesus.
@@billion86 Billy Graham saved millions of ppl preaching gospel all over the world!! And it's sometimes hard to be with children when it comes to choose between God and Children!
Thank you very much Ruth Graham for your honest and vulnerable sharing of your heart. While admiring, loving and respecting your dad, I have often wondered how life was for you kids. I think you’ll never know how many you have helped by sharing. You’ve touched my heart.
My dad was a preacher. He refused many requests for preaching gospel meetings because of this very reason. He frequently said that we are HIS children and he wanted to be the one raising us, along with our mother of course.
I admire Ruth Graham for her boldness, humility and truthfulfullness to speak about some Root causes of failed marriages and emptiness we oftentimes feel as christians. Every leader and institutiuons that trains leaders need to have this book in their homes and offices respectively. But the greatess love in this, that even after her parents had gone. GOD remais eternal who continuues to parent and mold our generations even from generation to generation. Thank you Jesus for your faithful love towards us from generation to generation.
Thank you for your honesty and bravery!! So many people want to tell us "you should be grateful for ...." Yes we should be grateful, but that does not mean that the hurt did not happen. Forgiveness is wonderful. Your message is powerful.
Love the Graham family & Ruth! She’s honest! It’s so important that she is sharing the message of the importance of fathers & pastors be there for their families first and foremost! This is in God’s will! Fathers be there for your children!
I am also a PK, and the perhaps the greatest challenge of my faith, has been to TRULY forgive my parents. At 77 years of age, I really look forward to meeting them again in an atmosphere of genuine love.
I am so happy that she decided to write this book to enlighten people's life. The preaching of the Gospel is a sacrifice but that is very clear in regards to timing and how things need to take place. a good Stewart needs to attend his home business first. there has to be a balance and this book is going to help many preachers. God bless you see you in heaven
I love that I have a purpose in God. When we discover our relationship is with God then all our decisions are a reflection of what he is teaching us. We have family and I know that when we put things into perspective we can understand how it goes when every situation presents itself. Never think you bow down to anything dsyfunctional but you must give it the grace it so needs. So dont make it worse by doing the same badness over and over. Change or atleast leave it until the time is right. Patience and being good are just a few valuable tools we have it make it the best it can be.
In this video 'The place where you paused is really so important' brother, u said most people are stuck there, that is so true.. watching the video is really a blessing to me.... God bless...
This hits home. My father left when I was 6. I have a younger half-sister raised by my father. She has this rock solid self-worth and fearlessness about herself that just stuns me. She KNEW her father loved her and was there for her, even with acting out, teenage pregnancy, and all. We’re so different it makes me wonder at age 50 if I would’ve had more self confidence if I’d grown up with my father.
I'm 66 years young and no Billy Graham wasn't my everything when it comes to Christianity. Billy Graham was a mere man and no less a sinner than you and me. God through Jesus was and is my everything.
Amen am 52 yrs young and I say honor be given where its due. He has had a historical impact on humanity like the apostles and we appreciate him for that.
I understand the emotion of these feelings, but I also recognize that these feelings affect the parent as well. One of my biggest regrets, as a father, is that it was very hard working long hours to meet all their preceivedneeds. Looking back I wish I would have spent more time with them. I justified my action, by telling myself, at least I made it possible for their mom to stay home. Thankfully my daughters hold no hard feelings. I just have to forgive myself. My final word to all soon to be or currently parents, make every effort to put God first, then your family. It is so hard in this country to do the right thing in our materialistic society and culture that puts families last. Perhaps we need a paradigm shift to occur in our false reality of what is truly important in life.
Richard Mooney Thank you for your transparency and sharing your revelatory wisdom. I wonder, have you shared this with your children? Do they understand what you've learned from hindsight?... Praise God that they didn't hold against you what you felt you had to do at the time. 🙇🏽♀️👀👂🏽👆🏽💞
Awe ❤❤ how interesting as a mom of 4 unmarried, knowing the calling on my life of ministry especially for woman & mothers and hopefully directily having a positive impact on there children,and I'll be stepping into that role very soon , however God bless social media and the internet because for now as a mom I know that's where I'm called to, to hopefully reach as many hurting woman as humanly possible from home!! For someone who has never had the opportunity to travel, I know the opportunities will arise & I WILL remember this and Thankyou Ruth!!! It took Alot of courage to share your experience but like always God turns it around for our good to help someone out!!!
Thank you Ruth for being so honest and open about your feeling. I am sure you receive criticism from sharing this. But to me, it is encouraging. This is what make us human.
I’m so glad you are taking about this! I’m not a preachers kid who was gone but I stiffened with abandonment from my father and through out my whole life. I don’t blame my father and have forgiven him . Thank you for your transparency!
There is only one father who can truly meet all our needs.That is our Heavenly Father. Even the best father will let down the ideals of a child, for no earthly father can provide the full dimension of love needed by a child. Ruth even forgave God, not because he sinned, but because in her eyes she had expected something better (to her). In her choice to forgive and to accept life as it happened, she found satisfaction in her Heavenly Father. She found the best! Amen!
I always wondered why she suffered so much in her life, it all makes sense now. I did not have a dad so I understand. Her dad had to of known and he must have felt so bad. I am sorry you suffered that loss, I also want to thank you for sharing your dad with us. I watched him any time I got a chance when I wasn't saved. It was important to me. I eventually got saved and I always felt his televised sermons had something to do with it.
Like some of you have mentioned I tend to think that I’d have loved to have had a man like Billy Graham as a father. But the thing is that we can’t compare our lives to others in an attempt to negate her struggles just because we admire him. What Ruth experienced as a child was very difficult emotionally. Had any one of us been in her shoes, we’d likely have felt just as she did. Yes, he was an admirable man who loved and served God, praise God for his ministry. But as much as he was away from his family, they’d have to have felt his absence keenly. My heart goes out to her.
Wow the first few minutes of this really helped me. Society tells us that women who grow up without fathers look for love in men. Like Ruth I grew up as a preachers kid although my dad isn’t famous but like Ruth I struggled looking for love( never married though ) goes to show this feeling can happen to anyone.
Yes- Father's are the head of the family, the covering. Both male and female children develop through the relationship with the father. Fathers need to be home!!!
Many of us have been abandoned...fathers in the military is a big one. My dad was there...in his body; Emotionally he was long gone. The war killed his spirit even though he was a believer.
Fathers need to hear this... super important to pour themselves into their children’s life. Some men are on a God appointed mission, others are chasing success and the almighty dollar, Both are destructive to the marriages and their children
Wow...this is powerful! My father was about as opposite of Billy Graham as east is from west. He was an abusive alcoholic who abandoned me at about four months old. So totally different YET the abandonment I felt almost destroyed my marriage. I am 62 yrs old and I still feel the pain. I think I've forgiven but please Dads spend time with your kids!
It's so important to deal with them, not just denie and burry them. We are allowed to lay them in front of God for to receive his healing at the right time.
Wow I truly appreciate her honesty. I think it can be really difficult to be honest with others as a Christian because we are trying to honor our parents, our spouses, not gossip etc. we should definitely treat people with respect, but we need to be honest about our pain. Yes, when parents fail to practically love their kids it creates a deep soul wound in them. It can be forgiven and the relationship can be restored if broken. But often there is very real pain for the child (looking for love in the wrong places, workaholism to feel secure). This is a very important topic-we need to strengthen the family rather than fostering childhood wounds that require more Christian ministry/counseling. A lot of soul wounds can be prevented.
My mother was in the kitchen and my dad came in my room about 11:00 PM, woke me up when I was 10 years old and said "I'm leaving". I thought he was going to work because he had odd hours as a railroad engineer and I said "Ok, I love you and I'll see you when you come back". He said "No, I'm leaving". He did wait until my brother came home from a date. It was right before Christmas. He had a mistress waiting across town to drive to another city where he was working at and never came back. There are stories throughout the years, and I even tried to talk to him about this night, but was shut down. We did get to talk for many hours because he developed bone cancer and passed 4 years ago. When he passed though, I strangely had an emotional peace about the abandonment from that night and the following years, because I knew it could never be fixed and I let it go through God's help. I think I was trying all my life to "fix it" and there was no more reason to try to do that with him. I did have my Grandfather, that was an AMAZING man. My dad did find the Lord Jesus throughout the years, so I know he will have eternal life. I have forgiven him and I find a lot of peace from that. If I could tell my 10 year old self anything, I would tell myself not to define your life through anyone else but Christ. He will direct you and will never leave you nor forsake you.
This is heartbreaking but thank you for sharing 💜. I'm glad you've found peace through it all
Yes it is so hard to grow up with out that support of a father. My dad came back as an angel to save my child and grandchildren from a fire. My grandson told me later my dad had visited him in their new home. He said Papa told me he would always be with me. I said Jacob what does that mean then he said. He said i was a peacemaker. My dad would be his guardian angel. He also told him he wished he had stayed with my mother and my family. Divorce is never easy. He came back from the grave to apologize for leaving. Love your parents for we all make mistakes. None are perfect we are all born with a flaw.
Hallelujah and AMEN😇
HolyLand Fan I have a very similar story, thanks for sharing. It helps to know others have been through similar things.
HolyLand Fan thank you for sharing. Many will be blessed by your story.
Billy Graham was and will forever be the messenger of "the Gospel" that changed the lives of millions of souls. Son's and daughter's of Billy Graham will forever live on. From North East India Nagaland.
"emotions don't tell the truth.......The scriptures tell the truth." Love that point! So true.
delancye12 Absolutely!
Ya in the King James Bible NOT the plethora of apostate Alexandrian \ Catholic Westcott and Hort Bible per Versions ...
Bruce Dressel True. Which is why they are trying to do away with the KJV.
For those condemning Billy Graham, I think it is important to remember that most of the generals who have gone before us may not have had the information we have today. Now we have a better opportunity to learn from their remarkable impact and also mistakes through the many platforms and channels available
I love her transparency and honesty! She’s going to help free so many people from denying the actuality of wounds in their hearts. God bless you sister Graham.
This is my life! Thank you, Ruth for speaking out about this. As a child, how could I argue that I was more important than God’s work? I now understand why I have gone from marriage to marriage, and my desire to be loved and feel loved has caused me to ignore the red flags. This one video opened up a door to my healing in God, thank you!
Praise God for her HONESTY!!!😘
Amen!
Amen! I need this honesty.
Ty for sharing this, my parent's were divorced before I began elementary school, and I was abandoned by him and searched for that relationship ( in all the wrong ways) most of my life, then I met my heavenly Father through Jesus and I am no longer abandoned.
Penny Milligan beautiful testimony ❤️
She's a beautiful witness to deep honesty. She's a credit to the Graham name. The Lord is so good to us. May the Lord bless her and hers abundantly.
Military kids go thru this too. Our dads are gone a lot and we just went on with our lives with our moms, siblings and friends. We moved on average of every 3 years.
My wife, born and raised in South East Asia, and her family became close friends with a missionary from New Zealand. A kind and Godly man.
Long after we got married and settled in Australia, my wife made contact with the gentleman, kept in touch, and we eventually met him on a couple of occasions.
On the final visit, not long before he died, we thought that his adult children would give him a glowing reference.
They spoke of the burden of their mother, raising kids in a country town on her own for weeks at a time. Time after time.
My wife and I were really taken by surprise by the deep hurt within the family.
I hope Ruth Graham's message can be of assistance to families like this.
Jason Ayres As a former MK, I can say this is how it was for many. Everyone’s dad was off doing God‘s work, which conveniently also happened to mean he could just abdicate all family responsibilities.
May God help my child to forgive me for all the pain I caused them, all the absence and not meeting their needs, promising and failing them, help me to forgive my dad for promising and not doing, help me to forgive others from my heart, and finally to forgive myself in Jesus might name,
Brethren pray for me to encounter God in Jesus name.
So bold - speaking of and recognizing her little girl heart. It’s not as much about her dad as it was her heart needs.
I appreciate her openness and transparency. God created the family first.
Ruth. I was just thinking of a preacher I knew that was so dedicated and always dwn at the church to help. ....... one day when the family was getting ready for church.... the son would not get ready. The son said. He hated the church and everything about it. The son said the church stole his dad from him... and he said he would never go to church again. It shocked the father/preacher.and he immediately went dwn to the congregation and said he would have to cut his time dwn at the church or he would lose his son to ever wanting to go. It helped.
This short interview brought tears to my eyes. Too many little girls' hearts are broken and they don't mend and this affects all their relationships. 😢💔
I can relate because my father has been a godly man all his life but has emotionally abandoned me since birth. I have four siblings and can't speak for them. But for me I'm still working on forgiveness toward him. Thank you Ruth for your testimony.
Thank you for your honesty. I've seen ministers' kids who go through so many issues. As a PK, I grateful my parents chose us over ministry. I know my dad could have done so much more in the ministry, but he preferred to stay home with us. That helped us in our relationship with God But boy did he admire Billy Graham!
Acceptance of the calling :
There is always a price to pay for the work of the Lord
May God bless the whole family and the generations to come !!!
We have been with Ruth as she shared her journey, and there were few dry eyes as she told of her own struggles and missteps. We have all had our own battles and learning experiences. Praise the Lord for His gentle kindness and mercy toward us!!! This is a humble, sweet woman! We loved hearing her share.
True freedom can only be found in forgiveness.
So is there a way if I can't forget the damage consequences that my heart is bleeding from childhood abuse lifelong abuse what do I actually do when I continually feel anger towards the person that wounded me everytime I look at my circumstances the consequences
Amen ❤
The phrase: “Nobody’s perfect!”, takes on a new meaning... wow! Just wow!! JESUS WAS AND IS: PERFECT IN ALL OF HIS WAYS🙏🏼❤️
Forgiveness is more then a decision; it is a process that has to be done many times over.
Thank you for the truth! Makes me tear up because people needed to hear what you went through. I feel broken after 2 failed marriages. Thanks for the comfort.
If I don't get married God will still remain God. Society is just focused on me, myself, I.
Cuz society has SWALLOWED THE HUMANISTIC , satanic mantra " to Thy OWN SELF BE TRUE!" very sad!!
om..God !!
this was incredibly relatable
incredibly poignant
incredibly needed
incredibly honest
incredibly refreshing
God knows what He's telling those who choose to serve Him when He says..
COUNT THE COST!!!
the anointing isn't cheap!
Very good and honest interview. Very well spoken by Ruth Graham. Respect her boldness to share something very true that I am sure someone can relate to and receive healing from. I am sure the book will be a good read.
Forgiveness is a gift that a person who don't have the love of Jesus Christ can never understand !
My parents supported the Billy Graham ministry and every year at Christmas we received their family Christmas card with a photo of their family. I always thought they looked so happy. We all wear masks and it's good to hear the 'truth' from members of families we thought had it all together. Billy Graham's ministry brought a lot of people to the Lord, but there had to be a personal price paid. I remember hearing Billy Graham praise his wife for being there for the children when he was not and I recognized it hurt his heart but he had to respond to God's call on his life. No matter who has hurt us whether purposefully or not, I agree with Ruth. We can make the decision to forgive and that will open the door for the Holy Spirit to heal our hearts. Life is such a struggle for most of us because the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may destroy. We have victory only in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It takes some of us longer than others to understand this but when we do we find freedom that we appreciate all the more for what we have been through. What a wonderful testimony for those of us who also made many mistakes and suffered the consequences on this earth. One great Day, we will be with the Lord and no longer suffer from the results of sin and shame.
Thank you Ruth for telling your story.
Man, I appreciate her candor. Praise God 🌸
I have abandonment issues and my dad lived in the same house, just never knew him.
So sad for you. Ever think he might have gone through the same thing with his father? History repeats itself. Now you have a heavenly father to look after you. Just remember God loves you. Love your father if he still alive though. Someday you will understand why. We are looking through a dark glass trying to see the other side.
RL Edwards amen! Romans 8:28
Join the club. Same here
I can relate to abandonment. It is still a struggle I have to seek Jesus as my father. Since I didn't have a father, I don't naturally trust God in that way. It's been a total disaster in my past relationships and still affects my marriage but thankfully I know the truth about why I am the way I am and just need to keep pushing for healing. Its never too late.
I wish I'd NEVER known what I had👎👎
Someone ways has to pay the price when fathers work long hours or away from home. It is good to hear this from our sister Ruth. She speaks for many. Finding the way to forgiveness helps to bring wholeness.
Hannah Yaawusuah Adjepong That is very true. My father also traveled so much in ministry as well. Thanks to my mother’s wisdom and love, I somehow trusted God with it. But when you obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit there are those in your family will be paying a price for it. But God is faithful to return that price 30, 60, 100 fold! I can testify to that.
Really?!! You're angry because your dad was Billy Graham? What a wonderful role model you had; and when he was there, you were loved. My father was a narristic predictor that did everything he could he diminish my self worth. I was elated when he wasn't home. Count your blessings.
@@kathyshogue2149 "my mother's wisdom and love "..wow, thanks for sharing that. Shows how a mother's love in capable of covering in the midst of harsh realities.
Thank you for sharing this. Thank Ruth for sharing her story. It truly is comforting to hear such a testimony. It is also wonderful to see how Ruth models and keeps honor and dignity towards her father but is still honest about her pain. Thank you and God bless you dearly Ruth. In Jesus name, Amen x
I’m proud of her for being so transparent ❤️
Powerful and honest video the church needs to hear. I know several families where spouses and children suffered from imbalanced ministry obsession. Not only that, I so appreciate her candor about her personal, real, struggles. Tastefully presented. May God richly bless the rest of her journey❤
Gracefully done!
I was married to a man whose father was a minister and put that before his kids which took its toll on him. Conversely my father was also a minister but never put us 2nd which made all the difference. I get this SO much! Thank you for sharing your story Sister Graham!
Thank you Ruth for your honesty....... True Godly wisdom has come out of it all.
Very honest words, yet full of grace!
So very true! There are many women there struggle like you, Thank you very much. God bless you !
I can understand. But, I usually went with Daddy everywhere he went for a long time. But there were MANY times being a PK left me and my needs unnoticed, more because my Mother shielded Daddy from us kids over several years when he was too busy to slow down and recognize while he built a church building and ministered to others, his own kids were so in need for a Father and a Pastor. Those wounds have impacted us in m9re ways than we could have ever imagined.
I dearly love my parents, and the time for picking at scars is passed. Daddy has been promoted to Papa, and though many people call him that, I know I was his first child and tell him so occasion, just to keep the record straight.
Respect for transparency 🙌🏼❤️
I struggled greatly with forgiveness issues growing up and I don’t think that I would call this abandonment but it felt like it in a way and that is the death of my dad at 15. I was 14 when he became sick and when he died I felt incredibly alone. Saying that doesn’t even give it justice to how it felt. It was a very dark time. After my dad died, all my grandparents died 3 years later. I was very near death soon after and miraculously survived without permanent damage. As the years went on, it was one big storm after another and to this day I have my share of medical challenges. I was serving as a missionary with YWAM and had to give it up. I’ve felt like God had given up on me and I had struggled with feeling that abandonment since my dad died and every hardship since. However it know that God is moving and I am really trying to remain fruitful and trusting Him. It’s a daily struggle but I know that God has me in His hands and is working for the good.
This is wether God saying you have to fix something and you have to talk to him to settle it or something else regarding test that By evil on you but stay faithfull God and cast Satan in the name if Jesus Christ the name above all name like no authority man made can make is that The name that can do everything the name of Jesus the name of authority
Cast the devil and tell them not to come back ,even when you cast the devil they are times they can come again just cast them again
I give you what I received freely its yours too now
This was a powerful message. Forgiveness is so important not just for others but also for ourselves. And to forgive ourselves too and let go whatever we feel shame for knowing God’s grace is sufficient.
Good for her for being honest. Her father was called of God and God dealt with her, Im glad she resolved this
God never calls fathers or mothers to meet needs of others before their children
@@debibarrington8348 Read the Bible closely, Luke 14:25-
Much love brothers and sisters Jesus Christ is King
@@c.g.ryderii2405
Really? So you believe God harms children to bring his mission about?
Or was it that Mr. Graham was not wrong in excessive traveling, etc, but rather in not establishing a household with his wife to that supports the kids more to better cope?
Not rhetorical, I'm seriously seeking for someone to expound. What would be the answer?
Maybe the answer lies in the fact that no one, not me, my husband, my dad or any of the Grahams were/are perfect. Maybe the only Perfect answer is a Person. And His Name is Jesus.
@@billion86 Billy Graham saved millions of ppl preaching gospel all over the world!! And it's sometimes hard to be with children when it comes to choose between God and Children!
Thank you very much Ruth Graham for your honest and vulnerable sharing of your heart. While admiring, loving and respecting your dad, I have often wondered how life was for you kids. I think you’ll never know how many you have helped by sharing. You’ve touched my heart.
My dad was a preacher. He refused many requests for preaching gospel meetings because of this very reason. He frequently said that we are HIS children and he wanted to be the one raising us, along with our mother of course.
One man can only do so much ! Doesn't it say in the scriptures if I am correct, Jesus withdrew from the crowds. He probably needed rest !
What a Beautiful testimony to the Power Of Forgiveness! Grace! GRACE!!! Marvelous Grace!!!
God bless you Ruth for your honesty and transparency. Too many people wear masks. You are touching msny lives.
An honest and important voice today. Thanks Ruth.
I admire Ruth Graham for her boldness, humility and truthfulfullness to speak about some Root causes of failed marriages and emptiness we oftentimes feel as christians. Every leader and institutiuons that trains leaders need to have this book in their homes and offices respectively. But the greatess love in this, that even after her parents had gone. GOD remais eternal who continuues to parent and mold our generations even from generation to generation. Thank you Jesus for your faithful love towards us from generation to generation.
Thank you for your honesty and bravery!! So many people want to tell us "you should be grateful for ...." Yes we should be grateful, but that does not mean that the hurt did not happen. Forgiveness is wonderful. Your message is powerful.
A lovely lady and an inspiration to many people 🙏❣️
Love the Graham family & Ruth! She’s honest! It’s so important that she is sharing the message of the importance of fathers & pastors be there for their families first and foremost! This is in God’s will! Fathers be there for your children!
Looking forward to reading this book! As a preacher’s kid , so much of her story relates to my life!
I am also a PK, and the perhaps the greatest challenge of my faith, has been to TRULY forgive my parents. At 77 years of age, I really look forward to meeting them again in an atmosphere of genuine love.
I am so happy that she decided to write this book to enlighten people's life. The preaching of the Gospel is a sacrifice but that is very clear in regards to timing and how things need to take place. a good Stewart needs to attend his home business first. there has to be a balance and this book is going to help many preachers. God bless you see you in heaven
Thank you...this needed to be said.
Wow! This was an eye opener for me!
Thank you very much Ruth, so true!
I love her transparency - it sounds like my story ..... thank you that i can relate and feel NO shame .... blessings dear Ruth xxx
I love that I have a purpose in God. When we discover our relationship is with God then all our decisions are a reflection of what he is teaching us. We have family and I know that when we put things into perspective we can understand how it goes when every situation presents itself. Never think you bow down to anything dsyfunctional but you must give it the grace it so needs. So dont make it worse by doing the same badness over and over. Change or atleast leave it until the time is right. Patience and being good are just a few valuable tools we have it make it the best it can be.
In this video 'The place where you paused is really so important' brother, u said most people are stuck there, that is so true.. watching the video is really a blessing to me.... God bless...
Wow, I love this. Raw. True. Real. God be praised.
This hits home. My father left when I was 6. I have a younger half-sister raised by my father. She has this rock solid self-worth and fearlessness about herself that just stuns me. She KNEW her father loved her and was there for her, even with acting out, teenage pregnancy, and all. We’re so different it makes me wonder at age 50 if I would’ve had more self confidence if I’d grown up with my father.
I'm 66 years young and no Billy Graham wasn't my everything when it comes to Christianity. Billy Graham was a mere man and no less a sinner than you and me. God through Jesus was and is my everything.
Amen am 52 yrs young and I say honor be given where its due. He has had a historical impact on humanity like the apostles and we appreciate him for that.
Thanks for your honesty
I'm glad you were able to find peace... from what I have seen of your Dad...he was truly a man called by GOD... bless you...
Amen, and yes forgiveness is always greater. And now I’m glad that you’re aware that your dad had to be about his Father’s business.
I understand the emotion of these feelings, but I also recognize that these feelings affect the parent as well. One of my biggest regrets, as a father, is that it was very hard working long hours to meet all their preceivedneeds. Looking back I wish I would have spent more time with them. I justified my action, by telling myself, at least I made it possible for their mom to stay home. Thankfully my daughters hold no hard feelings. I just have to forgive myself. My final word to all soon to be or currently parents, make every effort to put God first, then your family. It is so hard in this country to do the right thing in our materialistic society and culture that puts families last. Perhaps we need a paradigm shift to occur in our false reality of what is truly important in life.
Richard Mooney
Thank you for your transparency and sharing your revelatory wisdom. I wonder, have you shared this with your children? Do they understand what you've learned from hindsight?... Praise God that they didn't hold against you what you felt you had to do at the time.
🙇🏽♀️👀👂🏽👆🏽💞
@@holyroyalprincess no worry they now understand how hard is to provide for a family, especially now they are parents. 🤗
@@richardmooney7948
😄😄😄
That will do it!!!
🙇🏽♀️👀👂🏽👆🏽💞
Well said!!!👏
Amen. Help with your childrens children.
How many children wanted their parents when the parents went off doing what they thought was best? I think many share in her abandonment issues.
Yep. Not just a 'ministry' issue.
All my parents did was work...lonely
@John Days did not say i wasnt grateful
God is first. The 12 left all...
@John Days oh shut up pleeeze
Thank you for sharing this with us 🙏🏻❤️
Awe ❤❤ how interesting as a mom of 4 unmarried, knowing the calling on my life of ministry especially for woman & mothers and hopefully directily having a positive impact on there children,and I'll be stepping into that role very soon , however God bless social media and the internet because for now as a mom I know that's where I'm called to, to hopefully reach as many hurting woman as humanly possible from home!! For someone who has never had the opportunity to travel, I know the opportunities will arise & I WILL remember this and Thankyou Ruth!!! It took Alot of courage to share your experience but like always God turns it around for our good to help someone out!!!
Thank you Ruth for being so honest and open about your feeling. I am sure you receive criticism from sharing this. But to me, it is encouraging. This is what make us human.
What a precious strong examplary Christian lady on whom Holy Trinity’s beauty is seen !!! Praise God
Honesty in the Body? What a refreshing and novel idea!
The flesh is always a battle. Know that so you understand that Gods purpose is above what man wants.
Disagree in fact 1 timothy 5:8 its says the man who doesnt take care of his own is a infidel....children and wives need more than daddies paycheck
I’m so glad you are taking about this! I’m not a preachers kid who was gone but I stiffened with abandonment from my father and through out my whole life. I don’t blame my father and have forgiven him . Thank you for your transparency!
What a tremendous story!!!! I can totally relate!!! My story is quite different, but the feelings are the same!!! Thank you, Ruth!!!!
There is only one father who can truly meet all our needs.That is our Heavenly Father. Even the best father will let down the ideals of a child, for no earthly father can provide the full dimension of love needed by a child. Ruth even forgave God, not because he sinned, but because in her eyes she had expected something better (to her). In her choice to forgive and to accept life as it happened, she found satisfaction in her Heavenly Father. She found the best! Amen!
Diane Eaton amen.
I always wondered why she suffered so much in her life, it all makes sense now. I did not have a dad so I understand. Her dad had to of known and he must have felt so bad. I am sorry you suffered that loss, I also want to thank you for sharing your dad with us. I watched him any time I got a chance when I wasn't saved. It was important to me. I eventually got saved and I always felt his televised sermons had something to do with it.
Like some of you have mentioned I tend to think that I’d have loved to have had a man like Billy Graham as a father. But the thing is that we can’t compare our lives to others in an attempt to negate her struggles just because we admire him. What Ruth experienced as a child was very difficult emotionally. Had any one of us been in her shoes, we’d likely have felt just as she did. Yes, he was an admirable man who loved and served God, praise God for his ministry. But as much as he was away from his family, they’d have to have felt his absence keenly. My heart goes out to her.
Wow the first few minutes of this really helped me. Society tells us that women who grow up without fathers look for love in men. Like Ruth I grew up as a preachers kid although my dad isn’t famous but like Ruth I struggled looking for love( never married though ) goes to show this feeling can happen to anyone.
Yes- Father's are the head of the family, the covering. Both male and female children develop through the relationship with the father. Fathers need to be home!!!
Beautiful truth that sets us free. Our secrets make us sick.
Many of us have been abandoned...fathers in the military is a big one. My dad was there...in his body; Emotionally he was long gone. The war killed his spirit even though he was a believer.
"My little girls heart wanted a daddy." Bless her heart.
This is amazing stuff I can identify with some of this so much
Fathers are SO important to their families!! Please, wives, encourage your husbands to be all they need to be!!
Nunya Bizness better yet, pray for them to be all God wants them to be ☺️
Fathers need to hear this... super important to pour themselves into their children’s life. Some men are on a God appointed mission, others are chasing success and the almighty dollar, Both are destructive to the marriages and their children
Wow...this is powerful! My father was about as opposite of Billy Graham as east is from west. He was an abusive alcoholic who abandoned me at about four months old. So totally different YET the abandonment I felt almost destroyed my marriage. I am 62 yrs old and I still feel the pain. I think I've forgiven but please Dads spend time with your kids!
Thank you
I think God that my father was the only blessing in my entire life
My childhood was the best memory I had
I hope the rest of your adulthood and mine, are better and blessed.
This is heart breaking. Many mornings I wake up to a time in my life where my daughter thought I abandoned her. Horrible.
Thank you Anne. The enemy is working overtime as you said.
Wow wow yes Ruth I agree with you!
Thank you. I’m dealing with many disappointments.
It's so important to deal with them, not just denie and burry them. We are allowed to lay them in front of God for to receive his healing at the right time.
I think disappointment fits this more than blame.
I acknowledged my [mistakes] to You…and You forgave [them].
Psalm 32:5
Going to read this book.
Wow I truly appreciate her honesty. I think it can be really difficult to be honest with others as a Christian because we are trying to honor our parents, our spouses, not gossip etc. we should definitely treat people with respect, but we need to be honest about our pain. Yes, when parents fail to practically love their kids it creates a deep soul wound in them. It can be forgiven and the relationship can be restored if broken. But often there is very real pain for the child (looking for love in the wrong places, workaholism to feel secure). This is a very important topic-we need to strengthen the family rather than fostering childhood wounds that require more Christian ministry/counseling. A lot of soul wounds can be prevented.