Kevin Morris and Louise DuArt coined the term “Godwink” to describe how God works in mysterious ways. They believe that sometimes, when we try to help others, we realize we are being led to change our own lives. This Easter Sunday story is an example of such a Godwink.
‘Even if You Reject Him, God Loves You’
A few years ago, Gerry Ponson and his girlfriend, Shannon, were in New Orleans for Easter. As they walked through the French Quarter, the streets were decorated with Mardi Gras colors, and the air was filled with the excitement of the upcoming holiday. Gerry had a charismatic personality, and Shannon, a nurse, had learned to balance care and patience in her life.
Shannon was concerned that if she pushed Gerry too much about marriage, he might run away. But his younger sister, Penny Ponson, who shared Shannon’s faith, became a strong ally. During one of their talks, Penny told Shannon about how she had shared her faith with Gerry.
“I told him, ‘Even if you reject Him, God loves you, and you can’t do a thing about it!’” Penny laughed, recalling his response, “He said, ‘Get out of the house!’”
The Unexpected Storm
Gerry had a tradition of going duck hunting each year with his older friend, Mac, and Mac’s golden retriever, Booga. This year, Mac was grieving the loss of his wife of 45 years. The trio set out at 4:30 a.m. in Gerry’s 17-foot boat. The temperature was cold, and icy water began splashing over the boat as they ventured across the bay from New Orleans.
As the boat rocked, Gerry noticed the winds picking up, and soon, the weather became dangerous. He was an experienced fisherman, but this storm came on quickly, much faster than he had expected. Within moments, the boat capsized, throwing the three of them into the freezing water.
Gerry grabbed Mac’s life jacket and shouted, “Keep moving your arms and feet!” He knew that Mac, who was older, could suffer from hypothermia quickly. As the waves grew stronger, Gerry spotted the boat’s push pole and used it to anchor himself and Mac in the churning water.
Gerry sent Booga to shore, knowing the dog’s chances of surviving in the storm were slim. Hours passed, and with no boats in sight, Gerry began to lose hope.
A Cry for Help
While holding on to Mac and trying to keep everyone alive, Gerry remembered what Penny had said about God’s love. For the first time, he turned his face toward the sky and whispered, “If you’re there, please send us a boat. Please, give me a second chance.”
As if in answer to his prayer, he saw a boat’s mast through the mist. Gerry waved his shirt wildly, shouting, “Mac! It’s a boat! They see us!”
The boat arrived, and as Gerry climbed the ladder, he saw something that left him speechless—the name of the boat was “Second Chance.”
A Miracle on the Water
The smaller boat took them to a larger vessel, and Mac was rushed to the hospital by helicopter. As the boat pulled into the dock in New Orleans, a surprise awaited. Standing on the dock was Shannon, her face filled with tears. Gerry and Shannon embraced, and in that moment, Gerry knew what he had to do.
As he looked at her, he remembered the name of the boat. He asked, “God wants me to say this. Will you marry me?”
Shannon’s eyes filled with joy. “Yes!” she exclaimed.
Gerry then added, “One condition. Will you marry me on Easter Sunday?”
Shannon, overwhelmed with emotion, said, “Yes and yes.”
A New Beginning
That spring, Gerry and Shannon married in a New Orleans chapel with Mac as the best man and Booga as the “best dog.” They began a new chapter of their lives together.
A few weeks later, Gerry decided to take a part-time job as a street preacher at Celebration Church in New Orleans, alongside his work as a fishing boat captain. To this day, he shares his testimony, continuing to inspire others with his story of faith, survival, and the second chance he was given.
