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TITLE: Second Chance | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
08/25/21
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Second Chance

Charlotte, my wife, and I moved to Florida in May of 2017 for our retirement. We purchased an English cottage and had the entire house redone. Everyday for six months we had either contractors, plumbers, electricians, or the gas company at the house. Some days it seemed all of them were there at once.

We made friends in the area quickly. They provided us with the names of the best restaurants in town. We enjoyed picnics at the local parks. We were eight miles from the beach. Of course, we did an extensive search for a church home. The Lord led us to a church we could contribute to and grow spiritually. We were excited about out life.

About a month before our home was completely renovated, we received a phone call from Charlotte’s daughter Denise. She told us her daughter and boyfriend were back on drugs and we would have to take in Charlotte’s great-granddaughter Kayla. Denise already had custody of Jessica’s son Noah.

Charlotte flew to New Jersey and went to court to file for guardianship. Before I knew it, we were looking for schools for Kayla. Being a recovered alcoholic, I knew it wasn’t safe for Kayla to be with her parents. She would not be getting the care she needed. Her safety was a huge concern.

Kayla was fortunate because three girls her age lived in the neighborhood. Liesel next door and Caroline directly across the street. The third Amelia lived a few blocks away. The four of them were inseparable.

Kayla fit right in with our church family. She made many friends at Sunday school and bible class on Wednesday evenings. Kayla invited her friends to bible study and church. Amelia was quick to jump on the wagon and attended Bible study with us on Wednesdays. On Sundays Kayla helped Bonnie, the driver of the golf cart, in assisting the seniors on and off the cart. In the summer of 2018, Kayla attended Vacation Bible School and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. On August 5th 2018 she was baptized. She was energized that morning. In the baptistry Pastor Mike, head of the children’s ministry, asked Kayla, “Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and resurrected three days later?”

She turned to the congregation her face radiant and shouted, “Yes.”
She was so vocal that laughter spread throughout the church.
Mike then asked her, “Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”

She was so excited the second yes could be heard in the balcony. The congregation was in stitches. They never saw such enthusiasm. Charlotte and I were ecstatic over how Kayla adapted so well to her new home, friends, school, and church. But most of all her acceptance of Jesus.

I felt a warmth inside of me throughout the ceremony and the pastor’s message that day. I wasn’t sure what it was. Was the Lord telling me something? Slowly, it came to me. The Lord gave me a second chance with Kayla. When my first wife divorced me, I continued in my addiction. I wasn’t a responsible or caring father during this period of my life. I canceled child visits and missed support payments.

Finally, I decided enough is enough. I cried out to the Lord for help. He heard my cry. My life changed when I accepted Jesus. I was becoming the man God wanted me to be. He trusted me with the responsibility of raising His child His way.

After the service, we picked Kayla up from her bible lesson. When she saw me, she cocked her head and squinted looking at me. “Pop Pop,” she said, “Your eyes are so bright.”

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