Blowing Rock’s Prayer Tree
BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA
I heard about a business that burned — a small, religious-oriented bookstore and boutique called “Take Heart” in the mountain town of Blowing Rock, in the Appalachians. Rumor had it that this little place had several mountain laurel trees where, for decades, people from all over the world had written small prayer requests and tied them to the branches.
Last week, a fire completely destroyed the business yet did not burn a single prayer. Nor was the tree harmed in any way. Both the tree and the prayers stood directly beside — even touching — the burned building. Reportedly, as firefighters sprayed water on the blaze, the flames reached the trees and prayers but stopped short. Not one leaf was wilted, and not one prayer was scorched or showed any sign of heat.
I went to see this myself, and I still don’t understand what I saw. But the story appears to be true: not one prayer — and there are thousands — was lost.
I can’t see how this could possibly be faked. It’s simply not possible for trees so close to a fire to remain uninjured — yet they did. Not even a leaf was wilted. People were coming up, hugging one another, and crying as they spoke with the owner, Sheri Furman, and witnessed what many are calling a miracle.
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“The fire was jumping out of the windows, right next to all of those prayers,” Furman said. “Not one of them was touched. As much damage as there was to the store and our inventory, God surely had a hand in the preservation of our messages to HIM.”
Those who wish to help Mrs. Furman rebuild can send donations to the Bless Your Heart Fund at First Citizens Bank. The bank accepts cash or checks made payable to Bless Your Heart Fund. Donations can be mailed to:
First Citizens Bank, P.O. Box 268, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
or contributed online through their GoFundMe fundraiser.
Here are a few photos.
© John B. Carroll 2022
