An Interview with Ruth Graham

Mind & Media reviewer, Mary Yerkes, recently did an interview with author Ruth Graham, daughter of Billy Graham. The interview was very good and worth reading. Read the full interview here.

Ruth’s Message to Others

Not everyone can relate to struggles such as yours–divorce, betrayal, or depression. Yet, your message of hope, healing, and restoration is universal. What would you like to say to believers who cannot personally relate to your experiences?

As I travel around the country and get to talk with people from all walks of life, I can tell you everyone has a hurt. Pain, heartache, struggles are common to us all. Maybe it doesn’t come to us in the form of divorce, betrayal or depression. But it may come in the form of stress over finances, spiritual uncertainty, an addicted loved one or our own addiction, physical aliment, straying children, empty marriage, loneliness, loss…the list is endless. And what hurts for one may not hurt for another. Heartache is relative.The Bible says we will all encounter hardship along the way of life. No one is immune.

A Surprising Response

What about the response to your book has surprised you?

The response to my book has been very rewarding. It is helping so many people. And churches are using it as a handbook on how to help the hurting. I am thrilled by that. As I mentioned the purpose for the book was much bigger than my story and I am so thankful when people see that.

I get letters from people all over the world telling me how the book has been and encouragement. How it urged them to be more transparent. One lady wrote to say that it opened her eyes to how much she had to praise God for! How great is that?

It’s all for and about Him.

Disappointment

What responses have been disappointing?

I have been surprised by the lack of understanding of grace. I have received brutal criticism. One lady asked for her money back – I sent it. One lady sent the book back and scribbled all over it saying it was trash. These things are few but very hurtful. I write everyone that writes to me – even the ugly ones.

One lady sent a particularly scathing comment via e-mail. I wrote her back. She was shocked that I actually got her email and responded to her. She thought she had sent her comments off into cyber space not thinking a real person – much less me – would ever read it. She appreciated my letter and apologized!

When I published the book I knew I was making myself vulnerable and it was scary but I did it really in obedience to God. It took 2 years to write it – it was done with lots of prayer, care and work.