NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Authors SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt coined the word “Godwink” to describe the way the Lord works in mysterious ways, exemplified by this story for Easter Sunday. As they told Fox News Digital, “What mysterious force in the universe causes us to help someone in need \u2014 only to discover that we are the ones being led to life changes?”<\/p>\n In New Orleans for Easte<\/a>r a few years ago, shop windows just recently decorated with sequined outfits, colorful boas and feathered headdresses for Mardi Gras were now trimmed in baskets of pink and green, chocolate bunnies and Lily of the Valley.<\/p>\n Gerry Ponson, together with his then-girlfriend Shannon, strolled arm in arm through the French Quarter, laughing and stealing affectionate glances.\u00a0<\/p>\n PASTOR AND STRANGER LINKED BY GOSPEL SONG AS MIRACULOUS KIDNEY DONATION SAVES TWO LIVES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ponson balanced an air of boyish curiosity with the commanding presence of a sea captain who could turn on a dime to bark orders at his crew. Meanwhile, the nurse in Shannon showed.\u00a0<\/p>\n She\u2019d learned to tuck her patience into a delightful carefree spirit. What didn\u2019t show was her worry \u2014 that if she pushed her rugged beau too close to marriage<\/a>, he might bolt.\u00a0<\/p>\n During the Easter season, the streets of New Orleans were decorated with baskets of pink and green, chocolate bunnies and Lily of the Valley as Gerry Ponson strolled along with his then-girlfriend, Shannon Ponson.\u00a0<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Fortunately, Gerry\u2019s younger sister, Penny Ponson, had become Shannon\u2019s best ally. The women shared a strong faith, and during heart-to-heart talks, they’d agreed he would benefit from believing in “someone up there” bigger than himself.<\/p>\n Penny told Shannon about a recent time she’d mentioned the subject of faith<\/a> with her brother.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I told him, \u2018Even if you reject Him, God loves you<\/a>, and you can\u2019t do a thing about it!\u2019”<\/p>\n “What did he say to that?” Shannon asked.<\/p>\n TEXAS COMMUNITY FOR SPECIAL-NEEDS ADULTS IS A MODEL FOR OTHERS: \u2018A JOYFUL PLACE\u2019<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Get out of the house!”\u00a0<\/p>\n They both laughed.\u00a0<\/p>\n During that spring holiday period, Ponson had a tradition. Every year, he took his older friend<\/a>, Mac, along with Mac\u2019s championship golden retriever, Booga, duck hunting across the bay from New Orleans. This year, Mac had been hurting \u2014 he\u2019d lost his wife of 45 years.<\/p>\n As was their norm, the trio set out in Ponson’s 17-foot boat at 4:30 a.m. Booga took his post, standing at the bow while Gerry wrapped Mac in a heavy blanket and a wool watch cap. The temperature hovered in the 30s.\u00a0<\/p>\n Icy water began crashing over the gunwale, causing the boat to flip like a toy.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n For the first half-hour, Ponson felt excitement about the venture. Then, noticing changes in the wind and the rocking of the boat, an uneasiness crept over the veteran seaman.<\/p>\n He always checked the weather \u2014 second nature for a fisherman<\/a>. But the wind, rising quickly, brought higher waves that slammed the small boat with growing force.<\/p>\n Every year, Gerry Ponson, pictured above, took an older friend duck hunting across the bay from New Orleans. A sudden storm during the Easter season would take them both by surprise.\u00a0<\/span> (Gerry Ponson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Ponson had heard the lore of fast-developing storms in the northern Gulf \u2014 systems that escaped the notice of meteorologists \u2014 before exploding into near-gale winds, towering waves and rare but deadly storms.<\/p>\n Within moments, icy water began crashing over the gunwale, causing the boat to flip like a toy \u2014 and dumping the three occupants into the dark, shockingly cold water<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ponson grabbed his friend by the latter man’s life jacket, shouting, “Keep moving your arms and feet!” He knew his older friend could quickly suffer from hypothermia.<\/p>\n BUS DRIVER HAILED AS HERO FOR SAVING YOUNG CHILD WANDERING ALONE ON BUSY STREET<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Something bumped his arm \u2014 it was the boat\u2019s 10-foot push pole. He seized it, driving it downward into the churning water. When it struck bottom, Ponson was thankful \u2014 at least they\u2019d have something to hang onto.<\/p>\n “Hold on, Mac,” said Ponson over the wind. “There\u2019ll be a boat coming down the channel, I\u2019m sure of it.”<\/p>\n “Hold on, Mac. It\u2019ll be light soon. Somebody\u2019ll come.”<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n Booga paddled over, panting. For awhile, Ponson held him up by his collar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Over the next hour, as the waves battered the three of them in total darkness, Ponson fought to keep everyone alive \u2014 holding Mac upright for several minutes, then giving Booga a rest.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I\u2019m cold, Gerry,” Mac said in a weak voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ponson felt helpless and frustrated. Finally, he made the hardest decision he could remember.\u00a0<\/p>\n Believing in unseen things or miracles had never been Ponson’s strong suit as he struggled to keep himself and two others alive in the water.\u00a0<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “I can\u2019t save you both, Mac,” he said sympathetically. “I\u2019ve got to let Booga go.”<\/p>\n He shooed the dog toward shore, knowing the chances of survival were nearly impossible in this weather.<\/p>\n “Hold on, Mac. It\u2019ll be light soon,” he said. “Somebody\u2019ll come.”<\/p>\n But an hour passed without another boat in sight<\/a>. Moreover, believing in unseen things or miracles had never been Ponson’s strong suit.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n His thoughts drifted to Shannon. She was a believer \u2014 but she gave him his space.<\/p>\n Another half hour crawled by. The sky slowly began to turn gray, and the waves began to ease. Yet a mist had surrounded them.<\/p>\n Less than a minute later, something moved in the fog.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n “I can\u2019t hold on much longer,” Mac croaked.<\/p>\n For the first time, Gerry remembered what Penny had said: “God loves you, and you can\u2019t do a thing about it!”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n He tilted his face toward the empty sky. “If you\u2019re there \u2014 please send us a boat,” he whispered. Then, as an afterthought, he added, “Please, give me a second chance.”<\/p>\n Less than a minute later, something moved in the fog. He squinted. A hole in the mist seemed to open.<\/p>\n Was it a cross?<\/a><\/p>\n “If you\u2019re there \u2014 please send us a boat,” Ponson whispered. Then, as an afterthought, he added, “Please, give me a second chance.”<\/span> (Godong\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Suddenly he saw the mast of a boat. He ripped off his shirt and waved it wildly.<\/p>\n “Mac! It\u2019s a boat! They see us!”<\/p>\n A smaller boat soon ferried them to a larger vessel. As Ponson climbed the rope ladder, he noticed something that stopped him cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n The name painted on the hull of the boat was “Second Chance.”\u00a0<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Soon there was a churning sound overhead. He felt grateful as he watched his older friend lifted by a medivac helicopter,<\/a> to be rushed to a hospital.<\/p>\n A short while later, the Second Chance boat pulled up to the dock in New Orleans \u2014 where another surprise awaited.<\/p>\n Dancing in circles on the pier was Booga \u2014 alive.<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n The couple embraced tightly the minute they spotted each other. Ponson knew exactly what he was going to say to his longtime girlfriend.\u00a0<\/span> (Gary Ponson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Still, the best surprise was yet to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n Standing quietly on the dock, tears on her face, was Shannon.\u00a0<\/p>\n The couple embraced tightly. Ponson knew exactly what he was going to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n It had come to mind the moment he saw the name of that boat, right after he’d asked for a “second chance.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “God wants me to say this. Will you marry me<\/a>?”<\/p>\n Shannon\u2019s face filled with joy, “Yes.”<\/p>\n “One condition,” he added breathlessly. “Let’s do it right away. Will you marry me on Easter Sunday?”<\/p>\n Tears filled her eyes. “Yes and yes.”<\/p>\n Shannon and Gerry Ponson, shown at left. A near-death boating accident led a skeptical man to faith, love \u2014 and a life-changing “second chance.”<\/span> (Gerry Ponson; iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Days later at a New Orleans wedding chapel \u2014 with Mac, in a wheelchair, as best man \u2014 and Booga serving as “best dog” \u2014 the couple said their vows and began a brand-new chapter in their lives.<\/p>\n Within weeks, Ponson augmented his tasks as a fishing boat captain with a part-time job at Celebration Church in New Orleans<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n To this day, as a street preacher, he shares his testimony.<\/p>\n This story by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt is published by special permission. Copyright \u00a9SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Anyone can learn more about the Godwinks projects at <\/i>www.godwinks.com<\/u><\/i><\/a>. The Ponsons’ story was first published in the book “When God Winks at You” by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt Rushnell.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\u2018Even if you reject him, God loves you\u2019<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nFast-developing storm \u00a0<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n‘Right away’<\/h2>\n
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