Life Isn't Everything...Thank Goodness

Billy Graham’s earliest memories are just what we might expect: each a story hinting at the extraordinary; each a reminder that life isn’t everything.

In memory #1, little Billy and his sister are called out of school, a bizarre occurrence in itself, only to learn that their grandmother has had a vision in which she witnessed not only Jesus reaching out to her but also she saw Ben who is now whole and healthy! What better proof that Jesus and a healing heaven exist than to hear it almost first-hand from one’s very own grandmother, for heaven’s sake? And there's more...

In memory #2, little Billy seems to credit himself with the resolution of an unholy conflict: a cat forced upon a dog and shut up in hell for the night. Fighting like cats and dogs is an expression for a reason, but often cats and dogs do find peace in the same space. What appears to intrigue the young Graham, however, is the anticipation (and recognition) of the conflict – that inevitable struggle experienced also by every feeling human on a daily basis – be it with the devil in the world or the devil within.

In fact, Graham’s stock and trade is conflict resolution of the highest calling. His work is to bring to mind the struggle of good and evil – of the saved and the unsaved – reminding those who will listen there is a life after life, which is a good thing since life as we know it will not last forever. And, oh by the way, the end of life may come at any minute, so why not get ready now? Besides, if cats and dogs can find resolution, what prevents mankind from finding peace – except for the presence of that unruly ego?

And finally, in memory #3, Graham recalls the ultimate struggle of life and death. Imagine growing up with the knowledge that your own mother might have caused your death . . . had you not been miraculously saved by Aunt Jennie’s antidote? What better proof that death is always imminent and that being “saved” is completely plausible? Moreover, when even a well-intended mother can so easily commit an evil act, then surely we ALL need an intervention. Let’s not forget that the road to hell is paved with good intentions – even more proof that our best is never good enough.

Thus, as we would expect, Graham’s early recollections suggest the worldview: Life isn’t everything. All three memories support the existence of a parallel world – a spiritual matrix in which everything is held together by a wisdom that requires faith – (you know… the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen). And coming from the man who has been selling an invisible commodity for almost seven decades, we would expect nothing less.

Billy Graham - Number 7

Southern Baptist, Evangelical Christian, and spiritual adviser to multiple U.S. presidents, Billy Graham has preached to more people around the globe than any Protestant in history. Number seven on Gallup’s list of admired people for the 20th century, the 90-year-old Graham is currently front page news simply for moving his church membership from First Baptist Dallas to First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 85 miles from his current home in Montreat, North Carolina. (...and Thinkwriter will add more about Billy Graham in the days to come.)

For now, let’s take a look at Graham’s earliest memories to determine the worldview of the man who first made America safe for public testimonies of faith. What follows are three of Graham's earliest memories in his own words. Please vote for the worldview that best fits Billy Graham, and thank you for participating!

Billy Graham remembers...

1. When Grandmother Coffey died, I was in elementary school, and my sister Catherine and I were called out of school. [I learned] Grandmother had sat up in the bed and almost laughingly said, “I see Jesus. He has his arms outstretched to me. And there’s Ben! He has both of his eyes and both of his legs!”

(Ben Coffey was her husband. He had been badly wounded in the Civil War, ultimately losing his left leg and sight in his right eye.)

2. We always had a collie – at least one – and what would any farm be without plenty of cats? Not knowing any better, I once took a cat and shut it in the doghouse with the dog. They hated each other with some ancient instinct when they went in, but after spending the night inside they came out as friends forever.

3. I had one narrow brush with death as a child. Once when I was sick, Mother thought she was giving me cough medicine but she gave me iodine instead. If it had not been for a quick call to Aunt Jennie, who suggested some thick cream from the dairy to counteract the iodine, I might have died.

Billy Graham’s worldview is…. (Please select the best answer and vote in the poll to the right.) [Poll is now closed. See correct answer in red.]

1. Life is an experiment. (25%)
2. Life is a contest. (8%)
3. Life is a magazine. (0%)
4. Life isn’t everything. (66%)