SERMON | Genesis 18.1-15, 21.1-7 | "A Miracle Called Laughter" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana

SERMON | Genesis 18.1-15, 21.1-7 | "A Miracle Called Laughter" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IndianaWhen you experience a miracle, it changes everything.When you witness a miracle, there is no going back.So how do you receive miracles today?Are they possible?If you witnessed one, would you allow yourself to recognize it as such?If you’re like me you are not sure what to do with the idea that miraculously good things can happen in my life knowing of the horrific things that are happening in the lives of others.I struggle to make sense of people who pray for and credit miracles in their lives while at the same time supporting some of the heinous activities occurring right here in our own community:some families being discounted by our leaders,some genders being deemed less-worthy of God’s approval and calling by entire denominations,people who look or talk different being treated like they are less-than.It helps for me to remember that Abraham and Sarah did go on to be the ancestors of a great family whose story stretches across our scripture—a family who didn’t always get it right…they had to learn and grow…they had to fall and get back up…So many times this family who was commissioned to be the very source of God’s blessing to ALL FAMILIES across the earth, at times, became so fixated on their own well-being and dominance and greatness that they became persecutors of other people-groups.Time and again this beautiful family failed.Time and again they grew skeptical and laughed in the face of God.And…time and time again they wrote down those shortcomings and failures in scripture!!They never tried to hide their humanity or fragility—for that I am in true awe, amen?But still, their story is of a miracle.God worked through people—a family—who found a way to look beyond themselves and their own people and their own well-being to create a scenario where we, on the other side of the world, now have the hope and blessing of God in Jesus Christ.We share in the same Holy Spirit and commission to serve and love our community of humanity seeing everyone as family.Is this a miracle?How could it not be?Today…right now…is a gift.Our faith is a gift.Our doubt is a gift.What will we do with it?I hope we begin with laughter; not the laughter of skepticism, but of joy and awe.I hope we make a habit of remembering what a miracle it is to have faith and hope.Faith that God is always with us.Faith that God is still at work in our lives in the most unexpected ways.Faith that God will accomplish all that is promised—the healing of all creation.Hope that we get to experience that healing in our own lives.Hope that we can work together for healing in our community.Hope that we are not alone in our calling to be a part of God’s great restoration…to make all things new.I hope we start each day remembering a simple miracle:This church…this group of people around you called Grace UMC…We are a group of people who come from different families, backgrounds, & histories AND YET…are committed to caring together and growing together each and every day—to treat each other as family and, as a family, serving and loving our community.I hope we allow that remembrance to change everything.I hope we embrace that although life brings plenty of hardship, struggle, and fragility,…we can also always have laughter.I hope we are able laugh more and more with the wonder of a people who are in awe of God at work in, through, and for us.I hope we learn to laugh in such a way that others witness the joy we have found in our faith and hope.