Einstein and Billy Graham

Subject: Fw: Einstein and Billy Graham

Subject: Einstein and Billy Graham

Billy  Graham is now 96 years old with   Parkinson's  disease.  In January, 2000, leaders in   Charlotte, North Carolina invited their favorite son,   Billy  Graham, to a luncheon in his   honor.

Billy   initially  hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with   Parkinson's  disease.  But the   Charlotte  leaders said, 'We don't expect a major address.  Just come and let us   honor  you.'  So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him,   Dr. Graham stepped to the   rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of   Albert   Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been   honored  by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.  Einstein  was once   traveling  from   Princeton  on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger.  When he came to   Einstein,   Einstein  reached in his vest pocket.  He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets.  It wasn't there.  He looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it.  Then he looked in the seat beside him.  He still couldn't find it.  The conductor said, ' Dr.   Einstein, I know who you are.  We all know who you are.  I'm sure you bought a ticket.  Don't worry about it.'

”Einstein  nodded appreciatively.  The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets.  As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

"The conductor rushed back and said, ' Dr.   Einstein,   Dr.   Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are; no problem.  You don't need a ticket.   I'm sure you bought one.'

”Einstein  looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am.  What I don't know is where I'm going.” 

Having said that   Billy  Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing?  It's a brand new suit.  My children, and my   grandchildren  are telling me I've gotten a little   slovenly  in my old age.  I used to be a bit more   fastidious.  So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.  You know what that occasion is?  This is the suit in which I'll be buried.  But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing.  I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am.  I also know where I'm going.  May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door.  Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil -- it has no point.

"Amen and peace, my friends.  And may each of us have lived our lives so that when our ticket is punched we don't have to worry about where we are going."


Even at his age and with   Parkinson's  Disease, he could still deliver a powerful sermon!