Q: I wish I could say I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, but I'm not. My wife died the first part of the year, and although I'll be with some of my children and grandchildren on Thanksgiving, it won't be the same. How can I explain this to them? - E.M.
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(Photo: BGEA / File)
A: I certainly can understand your feelings; this too will be my first Thanksgiving without my dear wife of almost 64 years, Ruth. I had always heard that holidays were especially hard for people who had lost a loved one, and it's true.
No doubt this holiday will bring a flood of memories to you, and it would be natural for you to feel a special sense of sadness and loss. The Bible says that when we know Christ (as you say elsewhere that you do), we know our loved one is safely in heaven - and therefore we don't "grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13). But that doesn't mean we won't grieve over our loss - for we will. Death is a stark reality, and with it come times of sorrow and loneliness.
At the same time, ask God to help you make this holiday a true Thanksgiving! Take time to thank God for the years He gave to you and your wife. Thank Him also for your family, and especially your grandchildren. Remember: Grief's darkness fades in the sunlight of thanksgiving. The Bible says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 106:1).
Ask God too to make you an example of God's love and peace to others - especially your grandchildren. They also miss their grandmother, and God can use you this Thanksgiving to teach them about the hope we have of heaven because of Jesus Christ.
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Affectionately known as the “World’s Preacher” for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history — nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories — through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
©2007 Billy Graham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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Dr. Billy Graham has been faithful to the Gospel message, and in his character for these many years, while many who started yeras after him have fallen, bringing disrepute to His name. May the Lord continue to give Dr. Graham spiritual and physical strength, as he is now writing a couple books.
Dr. Billy Grham, I have read most of your books, and reay any book available with your name.
I pray that God may give you extra blessings at this time of your great life. May I request you,
to give some crash courses to the modern T.V. evangelists and mega church Pastors; how to
conduct a life of humility and practical Christinaity. Some of them are causing so much headache to the believers around the world, also a laughing stock to the non-Christians.
I've enjoyed reading Billy Graham's column over the years.Thanks for running this.