One of the joys of grandparenting is that the parents need a babysitter. We get the call, and in an instant, a sleepover is arranged at our house. Several weekends ago, I was up early with my five-year-old grandson making breakfast, pouring a bowl of shredded wheat. Then, I put a few strawberries on top to brighten the cereal.

My grandson held up one of the strawberries and asked me, "Do you know what a sad strawberry looks like?" I didn't know what he was talking about, and I had not yet had my coffee. In a fog, I just said, "No, what does a sad strawberry look like?" With a big smile on his face, he said, "A blueberry. Get it? Blue berry!"

He was in hysterics, and as I began to laugh, he laughed all the harder. He got me!

Sarah had the same response when the Lord promised her a son.

Genesis 18:11-12 – Abraham and Sarah were very old. Since Sarah was past the age when women normally have children, she laughed to herself, "My husband and I are too old to have a baby." (NCV)

When have you last heard from God? Have you ever heard from God? Within the circle of faith, we talk about prayer as having a conversation with God. We consider prayer a form of communication. Yet, often it is one way. We tend to do all the talking.

Think for a moment about Sarah and Abraham. Both were old. Sarah was beyond childbearing age. Then, they heard from God. Sarah was to have a son — Sarah: barren, eighty years old! Sarah laughed to herself.

Sometimes, God gets our attention with a surprise, where we laugh at ourselves and at our vulnerability. God's message can be disarming, internally exposing us, as we recognize not only our own limitations, but become profoundly aware, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14a (NCV)

The Word from God transforms our spiritual lives from doubt to faith, from offending God to praising God for the gift of God's Son Who is credible and present, and Who simply but profoundly invites us, "Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people." (Mark 1:17 NCV)

When have you last heard from God? It can begin with a laugh. Just ask Sarah.

Prayer: Almighty God, the psalmist tells us that when You rescued the exiles, "Then we were filled with laughter" (Psalm 126:2a NCV). We hear the message from Jesus, "You people who are now crying are blessed, because you will laugh with joy." (Luke 6:21b NCV) And then, there is Sarah who laughed when she was told that she would have a son. Can it be so? Tell us again and again that with You, the impossible is possible. Remind us to hold on always to our visions and dreams, because our hope is ultimately in You, and our expectation is in Your divine presence, which has been made known to us in Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

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About the author:

Robin Jennings <robintjennings@gmail.com>
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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