And just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone.
Dwight raised his head and looked around.
Everything was broken and splintered as far as the eye could see.
Tufts of insulation hung in the still air like so much snow.
The church had vanished, the bare foundation and its few reaching fingers of twisted rebar the only reminder of what had been.
But no, that wasn’t all.
The altar stood, the Cross of Gold and Miraculous Praying Hands undisturbed.
Even Deacon Rodd’s Holy Bible sat atop it, turned to the very page Deacon had been reading when it hit.
Dear Josh,
It’s amazing what a tornado will destroy and, at the same time, leave. This story would certainly give one pause. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I’ve heard crazy things like that can happen. Must be disturbing to see…
You could found a whole new church on that fact. I’m sure some enterprising fellow will
Some will claim a miracle, others will see the disaster surrounding it. Nicely done.
Coincidence or something more sinister? Interesting take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
A friend of mine lives in Tornado Alley. One year the houses on both sides of theirs were totally demolished while his house remained untouched. Down to the flower pots on his front stoop. They found a kitten, unharmed, between the flower pot and door.
They named him “Toto.”
:)
Na’ama
A question burning in my mind: where is Deacon Rodd?
Though my first thought is Jesus being frustrated with the money changers in the temple kind of scenario or a wrath against the profiteering of religion, one could read this as everybody got Raptured to Oz except Dwight. I love the name Deacon Rodd.
Given the picture, I can’t help but imagine the church as a tent revival in tornado country.
An act of God? Just hope they’re insured
Whilst reading this my thoughts drifted to the terrible fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris when the organ survived. Excellent take.
My story – Gail’s Gazebo!
Tornadoes are certainly an enigma as are many other things in nature. They are a mix of the mysterious and the miraculous. Great story!
Great story… and surprisingly enough I’ve seen this happen on more than one occasion. Church destroyed, altar and bible untouched… home burned down while bedside table with bible completely untouched and a small square of floor under untouched while the entire room otherwise gutted (happened in my Foster home). Weird, but true.
This reminded me too of the fire at Notre Dame. Well done.
Twisters are devastating and fascinating. Good story.
Tornadoes have always scared me ! When I hear the sirens, we run to the basement underground. E-GADS! What happened to the Pastor? Nicely written!
Such an intriguing take.
Nice take, Josh. A miracle or just luck?