AND SO HE CAME...

From Ruth and Billy Graham's love story, fast-forward a few decades...

Another starry-eyed young woman longed to meet her knight in shining armor, the mate whom God had chosen for her. Her name was Kristy…

One day, she came across Ruth Bell Graham's prayer-poem, "Let Him Be Like Thee," and was enthralled. Why, here were her same sentiments. These words became the earnest prayer of her heart. With childlike faith, she believed God would send "His" man into her life.

Then Kristy went off to Bible college and met a handsome young preacher named Milton Dykes, and they fell in love. Kristy was ecstatic. God had answered her prayer. She penned these words:

"And so he came, dear Lord, one day
And set my heart aglow,
I knew he was the one I prayed for
On that day, so long ago.

"I prayed so modestly, dear Lord
And didn't ask for much,
But You knew all along, dear Lord
And used Your heavenly touch.

"He's as handsome as a picture
With hair as black as coal,
And eyes that always understand
Revealing his compassionate soul.

"He is so very tall and strong
But that's not all, dear Lord,
His heart is full of tenderness,
That only love affords.

"I've met the one You chose for me
My heart is filled with mirth,
I thank You Lord, so very much
For heaven here on earth."

Soon, wedding bells rang. At their wedding, Kristy quoted Ruth Bell Graham's prayer-poem, "Let Him Be Like Thee," as well as the words she had penned, "And So He Came."The wedding guests were deeply moved.

Now, this internationally-unknown couple (wink) has been married many years. Their love has been enduring, strong, and true. Oh, there've been tensions—as Kristy will readily attest—but there's tenderness too. Like Ruth and Billy Graham's love, theirs, too, is based on solid, uncompromising commitment—first to Jesus Christ, second to the institution of marriage (Kristy loves to quote Ruth Bell Graham: "Divorce never, murder maybe"), and then commitment to each other.

###

Fast forward to several years ago. "Mom," said Julie, Kristy and Milton's daughter, "you need to..."