Laughing Heart

The third "heart" we see in scripture, as we walk through the bible, glancing for hearts, is the laughing heart: Genesis 17:17 (New King James Version) 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Abraham was promised, by God, that his descendants would number the sands of the beach. But, how, he laughed, when I do not have the child you promised me?

Have you ever been there? Laughing because you were told, and read in God's word of the peace that passes all understanding, of the children who rise up and call you blessed, of the man who would love you like his own flesh....and you laugh (rather than cry) because you just don't understand why you have no peace, your kids say they hate you, and your husband ignores you most days (not me, of course, Rick is awesome...I speak in generalities to make a point).

And, you laugh. God, I read of your promises. I read of your hope and your joy. I hear other people who you answer their prayers, and I laugh along with Abraham.

Abraham was, after all, 100 years oild. His wife was 90. I think I would do more than laugh at having a baby at that point. You know, our hearts are so fickle. We want God to answer our requests, the way we want them answered, when we want them answered, and how we want them answered, in the time we want them answered. We get upset when God does not meet our timeline and purposes. We praise God and laugh when we get what we want. We yell and cry and get mad at God when we don't get what we want.

So today, let's hang onto the promises of God. I think it is okay to laugh in our hearts when we are asked to believe the impossible. Because after all, faith is the thing we hope for and the evidence of the thing not seen. If I see it, it is not faith. So today, I will laugh. Laugh at the silliness of myself for expecting things I am not ready for. Laugh at my impatience for the things God will give me, but have not arrived yet. I will laugh at my fickle heart who thinks anything I want can be better than what God has prepared for me.

Father, My heart can be so tossed to and fro. My heart can be so selfish. Dear Father, forgive my laughter and impatience and your plan. Help me remember it is not about me, my timetable, or my desires. Help my heart only crave what you give me, when you are ready to give it to me.