A Fresh Start for a Broken Heart
with Ruth Graham
“Then I let it all out; I said, 'I’ll make a clean breast of my
failures to God.' Suddenly the pressure was gone -- my guilt
dissolved, my sin disappeared.” (Psalm 32:5, Message Bible)
“I felt like I had Failure written across my forehead--flashing in neon lights,” Ruth Graham said.
After a failed marriage, a divorce, a marriage on the rebound and another divorce, Ruth Graham headed home to admit her failures to parents, Dr. and Mrs. Billy Graham.
She wondered what would become of her life, and she feared what her parents would say. Would they speak what she heard inside her head, “You‘ve made your bed, now you have to lie in it.”
As she pulled into her parent’s driveway, she saw her father, Billy Graham, standing there waiting for her. He helped her out of the car, wrapped his arms around her and said, “Welcome home.”
The Graham’s unconditional love for their daughter helped Ruth take her brokenness and pain into the arms of her heavenly Father. She discovered that God does just what her earthly father did--He welcomes us unconditionally.
“There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more, and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us less,” Ruth concluded. “His love is so total, it cannot be added to or subtracted from.” God’s unconditional love brought her the security she had searched for.
Ruth had to learn to forgive herself as she suffered the consequences of her poor choices. Her book, In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart, describes the arduous process she walked through while healing. Her openness about the struggles she faced has helped people address secret sins, hidden hurts, and assisted them in taking off the masks they wear.
Ruth pointed out, “You can’t worry about what others think--even though people will take pot shots at you. Those of us, who have failed, fear being shamed and bringing embarrassment to our loved ones. Jesus wants to cover our nakedness, and if we continue to hide behind a mask, we will increase our isolation and be unable to heal.”
Close friends also gave persistent and positive interaction when she couldn’t seem to help herself. The practical help gleaned from those life-changing relationships was developed into guidelines based upon Biblical principles. They are included in the book to assist others making a fresh start.
As God’s love and grace processed Ruth through healing and restoration, her son admitted to having had a drug problem. She was there for him when he confessed his failure, and she made sure he got the physical, emotional and spiritual help he needed.
Her daughter became pregnant out of wedlock in her junior year of high school. She never considered abortion, but through supportive counseling, the she made the courageous choice to release her baby girl for adoption.
The deep pain and loss drove her back to old friends and destructive patterns. Sixteen months later, she gave birth to a little boy that she decided to parent. He has become the joy of her mother's and grandmother's lives.
Ruth Graham wrote a second book, I’m Pregnant, Now What, to assist people through the emotional and spiritual collision of an unplanned pregnancy.
“This book isn’t about me or my daughter. It is about the redeeming love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He can do with our failures and pain.” Ruth wants others to know that when you give your chaos to Him, He creates something beautiful that He can use for His glory.
This week
Read Psalm 32: 1-5. You can end the isolation and guilt you feel. Jesus runs to meet the repentant prodigal. He will wrap His arms of love around you. He forgives and heals the deep hurts that you and others may have caused. He can give you a fresh start.
Prayer
“Please forgive me Lord for the sinful choices I have made. I receive your mercy and grace, Jesus. As you have forgiven me, I choose to forgive myself and others. Shine the light of your truth into my heart, mind and conscience. Let your redeeming love heal and restore me.”
