It must have been a holy and surreal moment—that moment when Sarai knew that she was pregnant! It is after Isaac’s birth that we hear Sarah’s (notice the name change!) words,
Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” Genesis 21
She gives birth to the child who would later be renamed Israel, a people on mission for and with God! Her laughter must have been from the soul as she laughed out the fear, the doubt, the unknown and in those deep breaths, inhaled wonder, love and God’s abiding presence. Some of the midrash about this birthing experience are quite interesting. One speaks to her gray hair turning black after his birth, as a sign of new vitality. Another states that, due to the supernatural power of God to allow her to bear a child, she experienced no pains during childbirth!
Undoubtedly, she must have loved that child with a protective love. The impossible became possible and God’s face shined upon her! Just imagine the news of God’s call for Abraham to sacrifice her son on that altar. While her name is not mentioned in that text, but I must wonder, did she know Abraham’s plan? Did she trust in God more than in what she knew? Perhaps, this woman who shined as the ‘Princess’ of God, shined in that moment too!