But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:15 ESV)
Laughing
We usually frown at Sarah for laughing. And certainly, the part of her laughter that was colored by doubt should be frowned upon.
But Sarah’s laughter was also simple laughter. Perhaps a bit of hopeful laughter. Perhaps a bit of pleased laughter. Perhaps a bit of amazed laughter. Perhaps a bit of thankful laughter.
Laughter is often those things, too.
Our laughter comes ultimately from God’s love. We sometimes taint it with doubt. We sometimes misuse it with cruelty. We sometimes use it to hurt or demean.
But that is us. That is not the nature of God’s gift of laughter.
When we laugh, it can be a joyful reaction to God’s love. When we laugh, it can be the result of His love. When we laugh, it can be an expression of love.
God loves… and so we laugh.