“The minute I saw the book I started dreaming. When Dr. Billy Graham’s autogiography, ‘Just as I am’ was published, I longed to give a leather-bound copy to my friend Ney Bailey. Ney had trusted the Lord with Dr. Graham during the 1951 Shreveport, Louisiana, Crusade. Not just her spiritual father, Dr. Graham is also one of her heroes in the faith. I could think of nothing more delightful than for her to receive a copy of his book, personally inscribed by him to her.

So my quest began. I wanted it for a Christmas present, and I went after it like Indiana Jones pursued the lost ark. First I wrote Zondervan Publishing to obtain a leather-bound edition. Then I called Dr. Graham’s office. The book came quickly, but I received no response to my call for an autograph. I wrote a letter explaining how desperate I felt and how important this was. Four months passed. Nothing! I wrote again. Finally, a very sweet letter of apology came, advising me there would be no autograph due to Billy Graham’s ill health and his busy schedule. The unsigned book was enclosed. I was crushed. Tempted to give up, I kept thinking, it’s not over till it’s over. And, Lord, it ain’t over!

Less than a week later, I was having lunch with friends. We were engaged in enjoyable conversation about nothing in particular when Sheila Walsh casually mentioned her friend Ruth Graham. Ruth Graham? I thought. As in…Billy Graham? I was quiet, but my heart raced. Maybe my friend Sheila could lead me to the Holy Grail. Ahem,
Sheila,” I said casually, “not to change the subject, but how well do you know Ruth Graham?” Sheila popped back in her Scottish brogue, “She’s one of my best friends. I’m nuts about ‘er.”

I took a deep breath, trying to contain my excitement. Then I explained the whole thing to Sheila. “Give me the book,” she said, “I’ll see wha’ I cun do.” She went right to work on it, sending the book with a personal note to
Billy Graham. I prayed.

Three weeks passed. Nothing! Then…just before I was to be with Ney for Christmas, Sheila called, yelling into the phone, “Luci, the book came. It’s wonderful. Listen to what he said…” It was incredible. Sheila cried. I cried. And everybody who had been praying cried. But nobody cried like Ney. When Christmas morning came and she unwrapped that book, the tears began. They continued as she read aloud:

“To Ney Bailey,
God bless you always.
Billy Graham.
Philippians 1:6”

Ney exclaimed, “He knows my name! He knows my name!” It was an enormously gratifying moment worth all the waiting. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” That was such a reality to us that day. God had begun his work in Ney’s young heart in the Shreveport stadium years ago. Through the years, he had been faithful to continue. Ney had grown. And been used by him to lead thousands to Christ.

I was reminded through the whole scenario with the book that God is interested in the tiniest things in the world. He cares about us and what we consider important. He gives us the desires of our hearts. He completes what he begins. He knows us by name.”

Author: Luci Swindoll “OverJoyed” (Zondervan, 1999)

Christmas Collection

Get more than 200 creative ideas for planning a Youth Christmas celebration or Christmas Party party. You can immediately download my best Christmas Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Christmas activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

=> Tell me more about the Christmas Collection