All things being equal, which I guess mostly they aren't, being struck by lightening is more likely a curse than a blessing. Not so in the recent experience of First Lutheran, Shreveport.

It would be hard to say we were blessed with rain this past October. There was more than any other October in recorded history. Much of that rain came in thunderstorms.

One Sunday late in the month on day that was not raining, in the middle of my children's sermon, there came a pop in the balcony accompanied by lights going out. Not to mention the noises made by members of the choir. This followed by some smoke. The organ was "fried" and it wasn't even raining that day.

The present organ is a 1970s version Allen purchased used in the 90's from a Dentist. He helped install it using an amplifier purchased at JC Pennys. There have been attempts to raise funds for a replacement for the past ten years. About $4,500 had existed on paper. However, with tight budgets that money has been spent.

At the time of demise another used organ of similar model, perhaps a generation newer than the current was available for $9,000. A small modern digital would be about $20,000. Our first thought was that we might be stuck with just piano for some time to come.

It seemed a shame since we had been fortunate to find a PHD quality organist to play for us.

A brief investigation into our coverage gave us hope. It seemed to us that the church leaders of years gone by had insured the organ for replacement value? So we began to pray the company would see it our way.

Meanwhile, my secretary had the inspired idea to check with our neighbors to see if perhaps any of them had lost equipment to lightening strikes during the same period. Ureka! The Ear, Nose, and Throat Docs next door lost a computer and a copier the same week.

Who knew there were saved records of lightening strikes just about everywhere in the country. The adjuster was able to find corroborating evidence. They wrote it off as a total loss and granted funds to buy a replacement organ at today's equivalent value.

Allen Organ Company has given a loaner while the new one is being built for $69,000 plus.
The salesman will return to us a gift to cover the $1,500 deductible. God has blessed us with a brand new fantastic organ.

Blessed by lightening.

Things certainly are not always what they seem.