Today we met for the McIntosh Christmas. There were many who couldn't make it for various reasons, but those who did had a great time of visiting. We had a wonderful dinner of the usual McIntosh traditional Christmas foods. Uncle Roy always brings the ham (which he makes the best in the south...hands down). Aunt Laverne makes the dressing and chicken & dumplings along with the Italian cream cheese cake. For some reason this year she didn't make the yeast rolls or the sweet potato casserole, and we certainly gave her a hard time about it. Aunt Linda made the smothered deer, green beans, & Mississippi mud cake. And Mom made her broccoli rice, twice-baked potatoes, jambalaya, and pecan & coconut pies. We had tons of other food, and all was well on the McIntosh menu.
Everything was set up for dinner, and we all gathered around to pray. When suddenly Uncle Bob said he wanted to pray. Immediately tears filled everyone's eyes. Uncle Bob has been going through some trying times lately, but I am reminded of Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Through these times he has been brought to the Father. His prayer was one that we've longed to hear.
As I reflect on today, I am reminded of all of the prayers that I prayed with Grandma Mac and the daily prayers that she prayed throughout her life for her family. This year, 2007, four years after her death, one of those prayers has been answered. I immediately thought of Revelation 8:3-4 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Our prayers are in heaven waiting for the perfect moment when All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Almighty God knows how to "perfect that which concerns us". As Uncle Bob prayed and tears of thanksgiving flowed down my cheeks I could imagine Grandma Mac in heaven praising God and dancing around, for you see her God, and mine, is faithful, and He cares about those things that we care about. Grandma has many more prayers that God will answer.
You know, I can't wait to see who prays next year.
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