Scattered throughout the Bible are stories of barrenness made fruitful.  None of them are more dramatic than the promised child to elderly Sara, wife of Abraham.  The story of Isaac, child of promise, waters the barren portions of our lives, coaxing growth and then fruit from impossible landscapes.

Isaac’s mother

sharp edged and stained

with doubt and a dark wit –

old barren habits of resignation,

voiced her mirth.  An easier way

to let promises root and grow

until her joy could name him,

Laughter.

© 2017 – Laurel Archer

Photo credits: featured photo, Laurel Archer.  Inset, My mother laughing. One of my favorite things.

Note: This Advent series is using The Jesse Tree, a liturgical ‘tool’ to help guide and direct spiritual reflection.  Each day leading up to Advent, we  consider one Bible story, or character, beginning from creation, following chronologically (more or less) right up until the birth of Jesus. It’s a way to review the wide sweep of God’s pursuit of humankind across history.