Link to Affirmation: Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns home page.

Sarah Laughed

By Drew Cottle

Genesis 18:12-15: ¹² "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" ¹³ The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' ¹⁴ Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." ¹⁵ But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh."

Dear Creator and Lord:

Often, when we are presented with opportunities beyond our own imagination, we laugh and disbelieve. Sarah's laughter then is no different from our own now. When you present us with some amazing new possibility, be it love, faith, trust, or any other of your many and manifest blessings, often we disbelieve. We disbelieve because we cannot imagine success outside of our own expectations. Help us Lord to see not what we can be, but to see what you would have us do, and help us to trust you, so that your will for us is successful. AMEN

As an independent voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people, Affirmation radically reclaims the compassionate and transforming gospel of Jesus Christ by relentlessly pursuing full inclusion in the Church as we journey with the Spirit in creating God's beloved community. We affirm a Gospel of respect, love, justice and mercy for all. Affirmation is an activist, all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church.