Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Gossip Mill (05/08/14)
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TITLE: Church on Fire | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Champion
05/10/14 -
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“Won’t they think it odd that I am sitting with them but do not know them?” Anthony questions.
“They will assume you are a visitor. Be polite and ask if you may sit with them before doing so.” Nathan looks up to see the congregation beginning to file into the sanctuary. He nods to Anthony to assume his position.
“Good morning, Mr. Barlock. How are you?” Mrs. Morgan sees Nathan and gives him a hug.
“I am well and yourself?” He inquires of Mrs. Morgan but her eyes are trained on Mrs. Thomas across the room.
“Mrs. Morgan?” Nathan attempts to re-direct her attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Barlock. It’s just that Mrs. Thomas is once again flirting over there with a visitor. She is the exact reason why this church will not grow. Just look at her.” Nathan can see clearly behind him without even having to turn around. Circular vision is just one of the many benefits of being an angel.
Nathan holds out his right arm and nods to Mrs. Morgan to have a seat on the pew. As soon as she sits down, she leans forward and taps the shoulder of Eliza Pendergrass, a young widow and member of the church. Eliza turns around and says hello and nods to Nathan. Nathan knows that Mrs. Morgan is about to tell Eliza that Mrs. Thomas on the other side of the room is once again trying to get her claws into some visitor. She will then proceed to tell her it’s a shame that Mrs. Thomas hogs the announcements portion of the morning worship service by standing up to have herself seen by the pastor. Eliza will smile and then after church she will tell Rose Andrews as she is getting in her car to go home that Mrs. Thomas was being a flirt with the young handsome visitor. Rose will then go home and tell her husband who will then go to the hardware store on Monday. At the store, he will run into Earl who lives next door to the Thomas family. The Thomas family will invite Earl next Sunday to come to church with them. Earl lost his job recently and has turned to drinking heavily. Earl decides that church is full of hypocrites and stays home instead.
So Nathan does as any angel in this situation would do and drop his bible. It lands on Mrs. Morgan’s foot. The corner of it hit the top of her foot and she let out a painful scream. The painful throbbing of her foot was just enough of a diversion and she did not say anything to Eliza.
“I’m so sorry Mrs. Morgan. Are you alright?” Nathan smiles and pats the elderly woman on her shoulder. She nods and tells him not to worry about it.
Nathan can hear the conversation between Mrs. Thomas and Anthony from across the room. She is speaking to him about an upcoming mission trip to Ohio to help victims of a recent storm and wonders if he could assist with the food and water collection.
“She should be ashamed of herself. Just look at her.” Mrs. Morgan elbows Nathan to look at Mrs. Thomas and Anthony.
“Now, now, Mrs. Morgan. What if she asking him to help her collect food and water for a mission trip?” Nathan questions the older woman.
“Fooey. She is probably whispering to him that she likes his suit and wants him to come to her house for lunch so she can sink her claws into him.” Mrs. Morgan continues to rub her foot as she glares across the room.
After church lets out, Nathan and Anthony stand in a dark corner of the breezeway to discuss the morning’s activities.
“Our work here will take time. There are many in this church gossiping about each other. No wonder this church is dying.” Nathan agrees with Anthony and they come up with a plan to interact with the members outside of church services to extinguish any flames and prevent future flare ups.
“It is sad to see this in a church and yet it is so common. The Lord is displeased indeed.” With that last statement, the two return to heaven to report all they had seen and heard.
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