Just Laugh

A Poem about God's Promise to Sarah and Abraham

“Special Guests” by Richard McBee

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I be fruitful?” YHWH said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for YHWH?”

Genesis 18:12-14a

Just Laugh
After Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7

Just laugh—
your life is so unbelievable,
how your story twists and turns.

Just laugh—
it's all so unbelievable,
what the God of ceaseless promise
does in your most finite seasons.

Your wounds
and joys—
the times you doubted
and gave up—
now translate to wisdom
and become doorways
to joy.

Just laugh—
feel the thrill of
being God's universe.

---

—

A few things came to mind as I wrote this poem. First, the vast rabbinical discussion on the character of Sarah’s laugh. The Hebrew in Genesis 18 seems to suggest it was a laugh within her, instead of an audible laugh or disbelieving scoff. Some rabbis interpret Sarah’s laugh as a sign that she did not take the visitors’ blessing seriously. But the story unfolds as an invitation to consider her blessedness, and then our own. I often have a hard time accepting the truth about my life and how God has blessed me. I often think, “When will God’s loyalty run out on me? It must have a limit.” Yet we are always held by a God who cannot, nor ever would, break a promise. In my experience, it is just when I feel like God is finished with me, a new season unfolds, and previous scars and wounds are redeemed and turned to wisdom.

The second thing that came to mind is laughter itself. Howard Thurman, Desmond Tutu, Mother Theresa, Teresa of Avila (who is believed to have prayed, “God protect us from sourfaced saints.”), and many other people of the faith were known for frequent laughter. Even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., just moments before his assassination, had a pillow fight and laughed with his close friends at the Lorraine Motel. These are all people who took their devotion and call seriously and who, at the same time, knew just how important it was to literally crack up.

About a year and a half ago, I made an appointment with an important sage, someone whom I admire greatly. I had a list of questions and concerns that I wanted perspective on. I got about two questions out; the rest of the hour was spent laughing. I didn’t need my worries to subside; I needed to laugh. People of true wisdom know this.

It’s important to laugh. Life is so unbelievable, and God’s sense of humor is everywhere. I’m sure the Kingdom will be filled with laughter. May our moments of questions and disbelief become the places of joy as we recognize just how cherished we are in the story of God.

*Any typos are proof that these are my words and thoughts and not the use of an AI/LLMs.