Billy Graham: The greatest legacy

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But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17

“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”

Billy Graham as recounted by Robin M. Bertram in No Regrets: How Loving Deeply and Living Passionately Can Impact Your Legacy Forever (Lake Mary: Charisma House, 2017) 148.

I have two thoughts today as we remember the legacy of Billy Graham in light of his death this week.

The first one actually relates to my father, John Hoag, who turned 79 today. Happy Birthday Dad! My dad is in the process of leaving what Graham described as “the greatest legacy” which is not leaving “money or other material things accumulated in one’s life” but something greater, a legacy of character and faith. I hope to see him and mom during Holy Week this year before their move from Ohio to Florida to live near my brother, David, and his wife, Joanna.

The second thought I have today relates to Dr. Graham in light of his passing and our focus on prayer this week. In 2015, I wrote a Lenten devotional called Lenten Companion. Therein, on one of the days, I included a thought on prayer by Billy Graham. But here’s what’s surreal. The very day Graham died this week was the second Wednesday of Lent, which in God’s providence, was the day Graham’s reading appeared in the Lenten Companion.

A few people have emailed me saying that they stunned to read the excerpt early on Wednesday and then learn of his passing. They could not get the post out of their minds. I can’t either. Download Lenten Companion to read it for yourself or check out the original post, “Billy Graham: Fruit of Travail”, from three years ago. But don’t stop there. Join me in taking “the greatest legacy” baton from Graham: fast, pray, and travail for a lost soul whom you know to find life in Jesus this Lent.

And while you are praying, please remember me as I hope to travel safely as far as London today en route to Johannesburg. Thanks.