Sarah (Part 2)

One night, after a long discussion with Abraham, I convinced him to sleep with one of my maidservants—Hagar. She was young, beautiful and at the time, obedient. But that backfired because immediately she realised she was pregnant, she became insubordinate and forgot her place. That I couldn’t stand and I was determined to show her who was boss.

Luckily, Abraham didn’t take her side. Even though all this was my fault, I lashed out at him and he reminded me that Hagar was my maidservant, and I should deal with her as I saw fit. That was all I needed to hear, pregnancy or no pregnancy I treated Hagar so harshly that she tried running away.

A few days later, she reappeared, contrite and apologetic. I didn’t ask any questions, I just made it clear to her that if she wanted to stay, she had to behave or else. And I watched her closely like a hawk, as I was ready to send her packing if she misbehaved.

It was days later while relaxing with Abraham that I learnt that Hagar had encountered an angel of God while on the run. The angel had even given her child a name—Ishmael.

That confused and terrified me. Was Ishmael going to be Abraham’s heir now? Was God recognising the maidservant’s child? Had I no place in His plan anymore? But I kept my doubts to myself as Abraham would not hear of it. He was adamant that God had promised us a son and he could be very stubborn sometimes like one of his bulls.

Then one day, something strange happened. As usual, we did our errands earlier in the day and rested when the sun was high. Suddenly, I heard Abraham talking to someone, I thought it was one of his workmen. Until he appeared at my tent and requested I make my special rye bread because he had guests. We hardly had guests in the middle of the day but before I could ask any questions he was gone, so I got on with it.

While Abraham attended to his guests, I sat near the entrance of my tent and was able to hear most of their conversation. Then out of the blue, one of the guests asked for me and it felt like he knew me very well. Then he said to Abraham, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son.”

I snorted inwardly and wondered who this stranger was. Does he even know how old I am, and couldn’t he see that my husband was old? I hadn’t finished my line of thought, when I heard the stranger ask Abraham, why I was laughing. How did He do that? I was sure I didn’t speak out. Then He said, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year and Sarah will have a son.” I panicked and denied laughing but He wouldn’t have any of it.

Lo and behold, not long after that encounter I became pregnant and as predicted I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy—Isaac.

As I observed Isaac, his tiny fingers and feet, ears, and small mouth—but not so small when he starts crying—I realised something. This God is not only Abraham’s God, He is also my God and I will make sure Isaac knows and serves this great God. And He can be your God too.

I didn’t deserve this wonderful blessing with my mistakes and doubts, but He kept His promises and blessed us anyway. Nothing is too hard for Him. If He promises you something, He will do it and time is not a factor with Him either. Hold fast to Him and watch Him do the unbelievable in your life too.

The End.

Once again Happy New Year! Stay blessed,

Lara