Monday, January 29, 2007
Billy Graham -- Spiritual Mentor
I have always admired Billy Graham. At times I have been in awe of the vignettes of his life. I heard Billy speak in Cleveland in the early 90's and spellbound by the simplicity of his message and the response of people At times I have felt shame for my inadequacies. In part because of the standard set by Rev. Dr. Billy Graham
A freind sent this to me. I thought I would share it with you as it gets to the point with clarity and succinctness.
SHARING SOMETHING HEARTWARMING
Rev. Dr.Billy Graham is now 89 years old with Parkinson's disease. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you." So he agreed.
After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.
Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it." Einstein nodded appreciatively.
The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under his seat trying to find his ticket. He came back and gently said, "Dr. Einstein, please don't worry about it. I know who you are." Einstein looked up and said, "I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going!"
The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under his seat trying to find his ticket. He came back and gently said, "Dr. Einstein, please don't worry about it. I know who you are." Einstein looked up and said, "I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going!"
Where are you going? Do you have your life all "planned out"? I never did. That is until the last 5 years. Ever feel like you have ridden the train of life and did not know your destination? I have.
I have lived by "the seat of my pants" for most of my life and it has provided me with mixed results of blessings and curses. I had wonderful parents but little guidance in how the world worked. I had a brother and sister, both great people but who were absent as role models for me. So my choices, and they are MY choices came about from following my own whims and desires, most of which got me into problems.
The train ticket I hold is 'one way'. There is no turning back. I cannot rid my self of regrets but only learn from the lessons presented to me. People can and will fail you. God will not. My future is secure in God.
I am on the "Train Bound for Glory." I hope you have purchased a ticket and will join me on the journey.
Labels: 10 Commandments, Billy Graham, God, Preacher, Responsibility, Salvation, Savior
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