Genesis 21:1-3  Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ge 21:1–3.

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What is it about the birth of our little ones that makes us laugh so easily, so joyfully? When God promised Abraham Sarah was going to have a baby boy, he laughed (17:17). How could he not? He was older than dirt and Sarah was older than any woman would respectably confess. 

When Sarah heard this same news, she also laughed (18: 12). She said to herself, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

God repeated this unbelievable news in verse 17:19 and added an appropriate and delightful detail: “Then God said, ‘Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.’” 

Isaac, as you probably know, means Laughter. After twenty-five years of wandering and waiting, God did what he said he would do. 

Easy Insight: God’s good gifts are worth the wait. 

Additional Observation: Joy arrives when our patient waiting and God’s perfect timing intersect. 

There was so much laughter and a few tears of joy when first our son was born and then our daughter. Grandchildren refresh the experience with additional laughter and even more joyful tears.

God gives the best gifts. 

God keeps his promises.

God graciously makes us laugh.

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I will laugh with delight at the special delivery of God’s good gifts.

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Our Father, thank you for laughter. Thank you for the pure joy accompanying the arrival of our little ones. Thank you for reminding us how some things are worth the wait. Thank you for your perfect timing. Amen.