“It’s so hot,” I grumbled as I scrubbed out the clay jars. Looking down, my feet were almost a dark shade of brown due to the dust. Today was hot. So hot, I could practically see the heat rippling the tent curtains. If only the curtains were rippling because of a breeze, I sighed. Not even the cool water on my hands could give me any relief. It’s been so dry and barren these days. Barren. That word struck many unpleasant chords within my mind. Memories came flooding back. I had been so young, so in love with Abraham. I had hoped to give him many heirs. But it was not so. Now, I couldn’t give him any heirs even if I wanted to. There had been so many nights of un-acceptance, so many nights of anger, so many nights of tears over my not being able to have children. Finally, in my present state, I had come to grips with my situation and had finally learned to accept it. My mind came crashing back to the present as a huge wave of water splashed on me. Startled, I realized in my musings I hadn’t been paying attention and I had spilt most of the water in my jug on the front of my dress. “That should do it,” and carrying the jug out of the tent, I tipped the remainder of the contents into the sand. Setting it down, I was just turning inside when I caught sight of Abraham talking with three men clothed in white just a few yards off. I was naturally very curious, and I turned so I was facing them. I could not hear anything they were saying, so I went back inside and was folding sheets when Abraham tore into the tent. I looked up in shock. He had been so calm and prayerful a couple moments ago. What happened? He must have seen the look on my face, because he hastened to explain, saying “Sarah! We have visitors!” “I can see, Abraham. Who are they?” I tried to remain calm, hoping to have some of it rub off on him. “I’m not sure, Sarah. I was praying and mediating, when I heard the Lord tell me to look up, and when I did, I saw those three walking towards me. I felt compelled to offer them food, drink and rest.” Knowing better than to not heed my husband’s strong feelings, I asked, “Well, what would you have me prepare?” Abraham smiled at me and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes. I’m going to get Nathaniel to come and help me prepare our finest calf.” With that, Abraham left the tent in a whirlwind of garments. “Now for the cakes,” I thought aloud to myself as I went into the storeroom and measured out the flour, “These people must have some sort of business to conduct with Abraham- otherwise, why would they be here? None of our neighbors are the types to conduct business and trading with foreigners. No, they just use the locals. I wonder who these three men are. There.” I was done mixing the cakes. After they had cooked, I glanced out the tent to see if Abraham had the calf ready. He and Nathaniel were just setting down the prepared calf, curds, and milk in front of the guests. Abraham looked anxiously at the tent, as if he was looking for the cakes. Indeed, when he caught sight of me, he nodded, as if to say, “Bring them out, we’re ready.” I nodded back, and then calling to Aara, our servant girl, to bring the cakes from the pan where they were cooling to the men beneath the trees, I then sat down and resumed the folding of my sheets. There were too many sheets. Just plainly, in my opinion, I thought everyone should sleep in the sand with a thick blanket and not bother with beds; everyone except Abraham and myself, of course. A little voice inside my head said, “Yes, but you could be getting one of the servants to do it, Sarah” “I know, I know, it’s just….” My voice trailed off into the heat, as something outside caught my attention. “Where is Sarah?” One of the men was saying. I heard the murmur of my husband’s voice, assuring them I was in the tent. A different man then picked up the thread of conversation by abruptly telling Abraham that him and I would conceive a son. “Conceive?!” I laughed aloud. “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” Then I heard something very startling. The third man said, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything to wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” I was thoroughly shaken, but by now, since everyone knew I was listening at the entrance, my husband beckoned me to come out, looking very grave. “I did not laugh,” said I, for I was so afraid of what these men had just told us. One of the men looked up at me very solemnly, and said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.” Now, two years later, the three men’s prophecy has come true. I often muse and wonder if it was three angels that ate our calf and cakes that day. Looking at Isaac, I don’t doubt they were. Now Abraham, in his old age, is working hard with me to raise Isaac as our heir. We thank the Lord everyday for our son. I’ve learned that nothing is impossible with God for people that believe can accomplish anything with His help. I’ve also learned a thing or two about laughing at foreigner’s propositions, and have tried to control myself from hereon in. “No you haven’t.” I look over my shoulder and see Abraham standing beside me reading. I assure him I most certainly have, but he just shakes his head and walks away.
Genre