My precious grandmother, Mabel, who passed away just a little over two years ago, would have been 92 years old today, August 28th, 2011.
Grandma, or “G-Gma”, as her great-grandchildren affectionately called her, was also an amazing woman of prayer. One of my earliest memories is of her tucking me into bed at night, then kneeling down and praying over me with such an intensity and sincerity that you would have thought she was in a revival meeting.
I don’t remember what Grandma asked God to do in my life during all those bedside prayer times, but I cannot help but believe that God answered her prayers in part by calling me to be a missionary. Grandma only had two grandchildren and she loved us both with all her heart. We loved spending time together, so to see me leave home to live in China at such a young age nearly broke her heart.
If I only had a record of the many lonely hours Grandma spent praying for me during all the years I’ve lived in China, I’m sure her petitions would fill volumes. Only God knows, and He is her eternal reward. Even though G-Gma is now with Jesus, the fruit of her prayers remains and continues to grow day by day!
I miss you Grandma, and love you more than tongue can tell!
She was a special lady indeed. While it’s true, she only had two grandsons, Ryan, affectionately thought of her as one as well in the absence of one close enough to hug every Sunday at church. I especially remember one night God awoke her to pray for my dad. When she asked me days later what was going on with him, we discovered that she was awakened to pray for him the same night that he was being poisoned by fumes from a chain saw. Her prayers resulted in someone in the house being awakened to find him passed out. God’s timing was perfect and He used Miss Mabel to accomplish His plan. She was always that willing vessel.
Thank you Irvina! You are right about Ryan, and I hadn’t ever heard that story about your dad!