Excerpts from "Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Love of Ruth Bell Graham"
As a 17 year old upon a boat in the Pacific Ocean, Ruth wrote the following prayer:
If I marry: He must be so tall when he is on his knees, as one has said, he reaches all the way to Heaven.
His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burden of a family.
His lips must be strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss.
His love must be so deep that it takes its stand in Christ and so wide that it takes in the whole world.
He must be big enough to be gentle and great enough to be thoughtful.
His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child.
A prayer that should be on the hearts of single Christian woman. This prayer led Ruth to Billy Graham!
Ruth's prayer one week into her first year of college:
Teach me contentment, Lord, whate'er my lot,
keeping my eyes on You in trust,
knowing Your love is true, Your way is just.
Teach discontentment, Lord, with what I am;
daily striving, growing daily nearer,
finding You are daily closer, dearer.
Contented, Lord, yet discontented make me,
both together working, blending
all in Your own glory ending.
Ruth's Prayer after she was engaged to marry Billy:
God, let me be all he ever dreamed of loveliness and laughter. Veil his eyes a bit because there are so many little flaws, somehow, God please let him see only the bride I long to be, remembering ever after - I was all he ever dreamed of loveliness and laughter.
