by Susan Sanderson

My father’s name, Isaac, means laughter.
He sent me to marry my uncle’s daughter.
On the way, I met God in a dream;
He keeps His promises to those on His team.

Cousin Rachel came to a well;
my mother’s brother’s daughter went to tell
her father, Laban, that I was there.
For straight-dealing, he didn’t care!

Seven years in his service soon passed,
when one’s in love, time seems to go fast.
But what a trick my uncle had played!
Once wed, I found he had done a trade.

Instead of my beloved Rachel, whom I’d hailed
at the well, Leah, her sister, was unveiled.
Another seven years I’d have to work
(and believe you me, I didn’t shirk)
to earn Rachel as my wife as well.

Of sheep and goats, I’ve much to tell.
I married both a week apart;
Laban had tried to break my heart.
I learned to breed sheep and goats
with spots and speckles in their coats.

Laban had agreed my pay would be
spotted and speckled flocks and herds, while he
would keep the unmarked animals.
(It was sad my two wives weren’t good pals.)

My wives and concubines had borne me
sons and a daughter, as God had promised me.
Laban and his sons envied my prosperity,
so God told me to leave with temerity.

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Susan Sanderson is an empty-nester living with her husband in the North of England. As a blogger and writer she is a member of the Association of Christian Writers (ACW). Some of her poems have been published in ACW’s print magazine, Christian Writer.