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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Mother (as in maternal parent) (04/24/08)
"Lord, I sure hope You know what You're doing, because I sure don't."

It wasn't much of a prayer, I'll admit, but it was all I could come up with at the time. When my husband came to me with his message from God, I was sure he was off his rocker. I thought he had sold himself to the Devil.

But then God revealed it to me too.

Why, God? I don't understand. Our only son?

My child, My ways are not your ways.

I chucked aloud. "You've made that clear time and time again, Lord."

With a sigh, I sat down on the old chair. The only thing I could do was hope. Hope and pray. The only problem was I wasn't doing much praying. I just didn't have the words. Thankfully, the Good Lord understands silence just as well.

I didn't know how long my husband would be gone. Three days? Four? More? It had already seemed like a week, but judging by the sun, it had only been a few hours since my husband left with our son.

I could only hope my husband was having better luck forming words than I was. He'd have to keep our son occupied on the long journey. Actually... no. I take that back. Our son was enough of a chatterbox that my husband would only have to offer an occasional "Uh huh" or "Really?"

I sat in silence for a brief moment before my grief finally overwhelmed me. "Isaac! My son!" I let out a wail, but silence hung in the air as it caught in my throat and I fell to my knees. I pounded my fist into the ground repeatedly, as if I were willing my heart to keep beating. I don't know how long I sat like that, but as I looked outside again, I noticed the sun was setting.

I love you, my dear Sarah. My plans are not your plans.

I didn't offer anything in response. The Lord knew my anguish.

I offer you peace, if only you will accept it.

Peace? I didn't think it was possible. "But how, Lord?"

Come to Me. Lay your head in My hands.

I rested my head on my pallet and took a deep breath, as I remembered Isaac in his younger years. He gave Abraham energy I never knew he had. They chased each other around the land all day. Why, you'd have thought that Abraham was a sprightly seventy! I drifted off to sleep that night with a grin on my face and a peace in my heart. The Lord was good.

Time began to blur. I really don't remember how long it was. The Lord kept my mind occupied, and that peace remained in my heart. Oh, there were plenty of times when I called out to Him in desperation, but I heard His audible voice comforting me again and again.

I even managed to laugh a couple times. I knew Isaac would have to know of the plan eventually. Isaac could easily overcome Abraham. I chuckled as I pictured Isaac picking up his father over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, with Abraham pounding on his back and demanding to be put back on firm ground.

Isaac would have to be a willing sacrifice. And I knew he would be. He respected our Lord and his earthy father too much.

As I thought of dear Isaac, tears stung my eyes, and laughter reached my ears. Laughter? I heard it again in the distance. It could only be Abraham. But... laughter?

I ran out the door, and as I peered into the distance, I saw not the three men I was expecting, but four. Could it be?

"Lord?" I asked expectantly, my eyes turned heavenward. I looked out again.

"Isaac? Isaac? Is that really you?"

I ran towards him, my vision obscured by tears of joy.

"Mom! Just wait until Dad and I tell you what happened!"

"Shhh. Not now, my son. I know the Lord spared you, and that's all I need to know for now."

I wrapped my arms around my son as we walked into the house. Abraham and his two servants watched at a distance. I was so overwhelmed. The only way to describe my feelings would be to say it felt like I gave birth to Isaac all over again. A new birth. A new birth that would one day signify the Ultimate Sacrifice.

*******
Based on Genesis 22
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This article has been read 1754 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sara Harricharan
05/01/08
Oooh! I like this-particularly since my name is in it-lolz. This was a nice, different, more personal view of Sarah. I loved how she talked to God and heard His answers. The ending was nice too, I always imagined that she would just hug him tight and tell him that the story could wait for later. Great job! ^_^
Joanne Sher 
05/04/08
I love this COMPLETELY unique point of view of a SO familiar Bible incident. I definitely got a new perspective on this! Very well done.
Laury Hubrich 
05/04/08
Good job on this story! This woman, Sarah, what a strong woman she was. A good example for us to follow, in spite of her many mistakes.
Laury
Verna Cole Mitchell 
05/04/08
This is one of my favorites this week, for sure. I had never before thought of how Sarah must have felt. How realistically and beautifully you've written this.
Chely Roach
05/06/08
What a great retelling from a untold POV. I often have wondered what Sarah thought of the pending "sacrifice"...Great job with this one!
James Dixon
05/06/08
What a fantastic retelling.

I struggled with the last line because I wondered “How the Mother would know about the ultimate sacrifice?”

Meanwhile, it seemed like the others were going out for a father and son day in the office. That was so well done.
Debbie Wistrom
05/07/08
I love how she laughed with God this time. Your POV rang true.