Book Review: BILLY GRAHAM: HIS LIFE AND INFLUENCE

As I was growing up, I was well familiar with the name Billy Graham. I can remember seeing books he had written, hearing grown-ups talk about him, and watching his evangelistic crusades on television. I think you would be hard-pressed to find any adult in America who hasn't heard the name of this famous preacher--"America's pastor," as he has been dubbed.

Billy Graham has had an amazing life, and David Aikman has well documented it in the book Billy Graham: His Life and Influence. Truthfully, I was already fascinated by Graham's life before reading his biography, but now I am even more fascinated and inspired by him. This man not only has led millions of people to faith in Christ, but he has also had incredible influence in the political world, having had personal relationships with several Presidents and other world leaders. He has also contributed greatly to racial reconciliation in various countries, including the United States. And although Aikman's portrayal of Billy Graham is incredibly positive, he still does not attempt to portray Graham as a perfect man; through both Aikman's and Graham's words, we see that Graham is a man who struggles with sin just as everyone else does. But his honesty and authenticity are what have made Billy Graham so endearing to people all over the world. Of course, his natural charm helped, too!

Though this biography is rather lengthy, it still held my interest. I thought, at first, that I might not like the fact that it isn't a chronological record of events, but the way that Aikman breaks up Graham's life into topical segments is actually helpful in portraying Graham's influence. And anyone who loves history will really enjoy the way that Aikman weaves in so many historical timelines and details throughout the book.

If you have any interest at all in the fascinating and inspiring life of Billy Graham, you will not be disappointed when you read this book!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Identifying with Eudora

I couldn't help but think of myself and my eldest daughter as I read this in Eudora Welty's One Writer's Beginnings . . . 

"It seems likely to me now that the very element in my character that took possession of me there on top of the mountain, the fierce independence that was suddenly mine, to remain inside me no matter how it scared me when I tumbled, was an inheritance. Indeed it was my chief inheritance from my mother, who was braver. Yet, while she knew that independent spirit so well, it was what she so agonizingly tried to protect me from, in effect to warn me against. It was what we shared, it made the strongest bond between us and the strongest tension. To grow up is to fight for it, to grow old is to lose it after having possessed it."

And then I identified with Miss Welty again in this . . .

"(As certain as I was of wanting to be a writer, I was certain of not wanting to be a teacher. I lacked the instructing turn of mind, the selflessness, the patience for teaching, and I had the unreasoning feeling that I'd be trapped. The odd thing is that when I did come to write my stories, the longest list of my characters turns out to be schoolteachers. They are to a great extent my heroines.)"

At least I gave teaching a shot for a couple of years. :)

Savage Mama

Ruth Graham, the late wife of evangelist Billy Graham, kept a journal throughout her life and often wrote about raising her five children. I've just finished reading Billy Graham: His Life and Influence by David Aikman, and he included the following entry from Mrs. Graham's journal, to which I could greatly relate . . .

"The children misbehave. I reprimand them more sharply--more probably, peevishly. The very tone of the voice irritates them. (I know, because if it were used on me it would irritate me.) They answer back, probably in the same tone. I turn on them savagely. (I hate to think how often. And how savage a loving mother can be at times.) And I snap, 'Don't speak to your mother like that. It isn't respectful.' Nothing about me--actions, tone of voice, etc.,--commanded respect. It doesn't mean I am to tolerate sass or back talk. But then I must be very careful not to inspire it either."

Hey! Who's the New Kid?!: Preparing Your Firstborn to Meet Your Secondborn

 Here is the article I wrote for the Parents & Kids Baby Book 2010 edition.

GROWTH SPURTS: Which came first--the chicken or el pollo?

Here is my column for the July 2010 issue of Parents & Kids magazine.

Simple Celebrations: Emphasize Your Child, Not the Party

*This article appeared in the June 2010 edition of Parents & Kids magazine.

"Simple Celebrations:
Emphasize Your Child, Not the Party"
By Carrie Bevell Partridge

My daughter Katie's fourth birthday party was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. We have always had our children's birthday parties at home, so we thought we were doing well in the simplified party department. But having over forty guests in said home for said daughter's birthday party was just too much. Nothing against the fortysomething guests. We just weren't able to focus on the birthday girl because we were too busy pulling off a party for her! And when it took Katie 45 minutes to open all her gifts, I think she had had it, too.

We can probably all agree that it's quite easy for a child's birthday party to get out of control. Some of us invite too many guests. Some of us go crazy on the decorations. Some of us spend a small fortune on the cake. Some of us plan too many activities. Some of us can't resist buying every accessory available for the thematic party. Some of us want to utilize the latest and greatest party facilities. And some of us end up giving more gifts to the guests than the guests gave to the birthday kid! It happens quickly, easily, and expensively.

So how can we avoid all of this? Well, here are some tips for the pooped-out parental party planners: 

• Crowd control. A common rule of thumb is to allow your child to invite the same number of guests as the number of years he/she is old. In our situation, we have started using this rule to apply to the number of friends the child may invite, but we also invite additional family members.
• Less is more. If your child wants you to buy every decoration, trinket, or favor available for their party theme, come up with a set dollar amount to be put toward buying supplies, and let the child be the one to decide which items will be purchased. This gives the child practice in decision-making while simultaneously teaching a lesson in finances.
• DIY cake. That's right--find your inner Betty Crocker and make the cake yourself! I have yet to meet a boxed cake mix I didn't like, and I doubt your kids have. Want it to have cute decor, but you aren't artsy? Don't worry about an elaborate illustration; just have fun with colored frostings, cool candles, various candies, or even miniature toys for embellishment. You can save a lot of money by making the cake yourself. And your child is probably more concerned about how it tastes than how it looks anyway.
• Location! Location! Location! Instead of renting a space for the party, save some money by having it at your home, a public park, or anywhere else that is free.
• Steal ideas. Running short on creativity? Just ask other moms for ideas or browse the web for some creative tips. Some good places to start: www.birthdaypartyideas.com, www.amazingmoms.com, www.kaboose.com, or www.momswhothink.com.

This is not to say that it's wrong to have a professionally-made cake, an extra-fun party location, all the greatest decorations, or even a hundred party guests. But it's easy to get caught up in the comparison game when it comes to birthday parties, and we can often lose sight of the whole reason for having the party in the first place. It's a day to celebrate the life of your child. He or she should be the priority, not trying to impress everyone with your party-throwing skills. As Parents & Kids publisher/editor Gretchen Cook says, "Your self esteem and your child's self esteem should not be based on how elaborate the birthday party is." And I'll add to that that anyone whom you've invited to join you in celebrating your child should also not be concerned with all the frills (or lack of) at your party.

Just because you keep the party simple doesn't mean that it won't be an absolute blast for your child and his or her guests. And it can prevent you from having to refer to the pictures or the video to see what actually went on at the party and whether or not your child had a good time.


Carrie Bevell Partridge has been guilty of getting caught up in the party planning but has discovered the joys of the simple celebrations. www.oncarriesmind.blogspot.com and www.stuffmamaslike.blogspot.com

GROWTH SPURTS: Sum-Sum-Summertime

Here is my column for the June edition of Parents & Kids magazine.