Ten quotes from Billy Graham on fatherhood

by BGEA   •  
Billy Graham at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, with his two sons, Ned and Franklin, in 1965.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
—1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV

Billy Graham was known to the world as “God’s Ambassador” and “Pastor to Presidents,” but to his five children, he was just “Daddy.” Below are 10 of his quotes about fatherhood, family and faith.

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”

“The greatest tribute a boy can give to his father is to say, ‘When I grow up, I want to be just like my dad.’ It is a convicting responsibility for us fathers and grandfathers.”

“Our lives speak loudly to those around us, especially the children in our home.” —Billy Graham

>> ‘My father walked out on us when I was young. How can I be a good father to my own children?’ Read Billy Graham’s answer.

“I tried to let all five of the children know that I loved them, no matter what they did; that I missed them when I was away; that I supported their mother’s discipline of them; and that I wanted them to discover God’s perfect plan for each of them.” —From Mr. Graham’s autobiography, Just As I Am

Billy Graham and his firstborn, Gigi, share a tender moment in 1971.

“I have loved and been proud of all five of my children and those whom they chose to marry. I have loved all of you equally, while each of you maintained a separate spot in my heart.” —Taken from Mr. Graham’s will

“Parenting is the most important responsibility most of us will ever face, and none of us does it perfectly.” —Billy Graham

“I’d rather hear my father pray than anybody in the world.”

“If there were no heaven and no hell, I would still want to be a Christian because of what it does for our homes and our families in this life.”

As a father who traveled frequently, Billy Graham relished being home with his children. Leaving his mountaintop home to preach the Gospel around the world often left him feeling torn. “Many a time,” he said, “I’ve driven down that driveway with tears coming down my cheeks, not wanting to leave.”

“I missed so much by not being home to see the children grow and develop.” —From Mr. Graham’s autobiography, Just As I Am

“I ask my children and grandchildren to maintain and defend at all hazards and at any cost of personal sacrifice the blessed doctrine of complete Atonement for sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ once offered, and through that alone. I urge all of you to walk with the Lord in a life of separation from the world and to keep eternal values in view.” —Taken from Mr. Graham’s will

Do you have the eternal hope that Billy Graham dedicated his life to sharing? You can find it right now.