PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

The girl, bent not in tearful prayer, but with clenched fists.

Silently stoking the fire of anger, till the cold of the marble floor took it away.

She came to the church in desperation.

She looked up, color lit men even here.

No different than those that kept her prisoner,

groveling for crumbs at the end of the day.

She heard a raspy whisper; an old woman behind her,

“God is not a man.”

And with those words said,

The tears came and a desperate prayer.

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

“Come child. Let’s take bread together.”

 


Today’s vignette is from the photo prompt by Jennifer Pendergast at Rochelle Wisoff’s Friday Fictioneers. It’s both sad and hopeful. The thing about 100 word stories is, I don’t need to add all the details. A lot of the story is unsaid, leaving it up to the reader to fill in the blanks.


In other news, I have finally self-published one of my books. It’s available now on Amazon as an e-book, but it will be in print form on January 31st.

The story is titled “Finding Home” and is about Tyler, who escaped the trap of his dysfunctional family by moving away. But family responsibility calls him back home, where he discovers more than just four younger half-brothers who need him, but secret family ties that lead him to unexpected happiness.

You can find the book at the link below.

Clare Graith’s Author Page

Finding Home- Tyler’s Story Book One: New Adult/81k words/ Contemporary Literary


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30 responses to “Where Does My Help Come From?”

  1. Lisa or Li Avatar

    Clare, I’m glad she was led to the right place. I also believe that “God” cannot be a man.

    Congratulations on publishing your book!

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks, Lisa!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Laurie Bell Avatar

    This is beautifully written!

    Congratulations on the book release!

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks, Laurie!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶 Avatar

    Deep piece, Claire. Excellent read.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks, Nancy!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. plaridel Avatar

    help came just in time. somebody must be watching her up there.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Yesss!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. KACreativeDesigns Avatar

    First of all CONGRATULATIONS on your book, Finding Home! Exciting!

    It is interesting how people can read the same story, but see totally different things. It’s why I love reading and writing 🙂 When the woman told her that God was not a man, my interpretation of that was that unlike the men the hurting woman had known that harmed her, God wouldn’t do that because He is God not man. And that God was taking care of her through the woman offering her comfort and food.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Thanks! And yes, you interpreted the story how I intended.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Prior... Avatar

    Clare, I liked your story and there are many ways we can interpret parts of it – well done. Also, congrats on the book, Finding Home! Best wished with it.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. James McEwan Avatar

    She lives in a cruel world, the emotions are clear in the story.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Thanks, all it takes is one person with compassion to make a difference.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Clare,

    Lovely piece about faith. Pitch-perfect title. Congrats on the publishing.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks Rochelle! The photo led the way.

      Like

  9. Sandra Avatar

    Lovely! And congratulations.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Thanks you Sandra!

      Like

  10. poetisatinta Avatar

    very moving 💕

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Neil MacDonald Avatar

    Congratulations on the publication. Clare

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks, Neil. It is more a testament to perseverance than a literary claim of accomplishment, but it’s a goal I’ve not been able to reach for a few years, so I’m happy.

      Like

  12. ceayr Avatar

    Moving piece, Clare, deftly written

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks!

      Like

  13. James Pyles Avatar

    First, congratulations on the published book.

    Secondly, although the Bible addresses God as He and the Father as a matter of convention, at least in Jewish thought (my wife is Jewish so we have these discussions), God is Spirit and thus has no gender. I know that in some circles, God is considered a woman and again, in Jewish thought, some aspects of God are feminine. One name of God is the nurturing or “breasted one” so there is that.

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Thanks for your comments! I realized later that maybe the story was suggestive that God was female, but that is not the point. He is not a man—male or female. He is the Creator, so of course He is more than all He created, therefore my character can call upon Him for help without fear that He is not safe to take refuge in.

      Like

  14. Dale Avatar

    I love this, Clare. And congratulations on your book being published!

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Thank you, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. David Stewart Avatar

    I love this, Claire. Yes, God is not a man. Just what she needed to hear right then amid all her pain. Wonderfully written.

    -David

    Like

    1. CGraith Avatar
      CGraith

      Many thanks, David!

      Like

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