by Pat Simmons
That seemed to zap Joy into surrender mode as she yielded her attention to the Holy Ghost.
“Hallelujah! John 4:24 says we must worship Jesus in spirit and truth…” another praiser said.
Closing her eyes, Joy began to praise God for her blessings and the trials. Soon she felt Christian’s arm around her waist. His voice blended with hers as they praised God. The service continued with Pastor Peyton welcoming visitors, asking them to stand. Steven obliged along with many others, mostly men.
“Happy Father’s Day,” the pastor said as he opened his Bible. “My sermon today could easily challenge you to be a good father like our heavenly Father, but I feel God is leading me through the back door to come out the front.”
Amen echoed throughout the sanctuary.
Joy smiled as she leaned into Christian who had his pen twirling between his fingers ready to jot notes in his Bible. She pulled out her iPad to follow along.
“Please turn to Mark 9.” Pastor Peyton began reading at verse fourteen, but paused at verse 24. “Let’s reread this, ‘And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.’ Hmmm,” he paused and looked out among the crowd. “Two points I want you to see. It was the father who went to Jesus. That wasn’t uncommon that a man would seek out blessings and healings for his child. There are examples all throughout the Bible. It’s what the father said that humbles him. He asks Jesus to help his unbelief.
“Doubt is a destroyer of dreams, blessings, and responsibilities. The father wasn’t boastful, but admitted his shortcomings and asked God to help him so that his son could be blessed. Are you listening?”
Again amens circulated around Joy, coupled with a few nods here and there. She chanced a glance at Steven. He appeared to be enthralled.
Pastor Peyton took out his glasses. “We can’t love our children enough to heal them or give them eternal life. In order to receive those benefits, we have to take our children to God…” Jada picked that moment to squirm out of her grandmother’s lap and make her way to Joy, but opted for Christian’s arms instead. Joy smiled.
True to his word, the minister finished his sermon through the front door with a poignant request. “Be the man, the father, the person to depend on. Your child can learn a lot about God from your faith and actions.”
Closing his Bible, Pastor Peyton lifted his arm. “Won’t you come today? Don’t leave here a deadbeat dad. I’m talking about spiritually dead because of your sins. This altar call is open to mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Whosoever wants to, let him come. Jesus is waiting to save you, come on. He has walk-in service—no appointment necessary. Repent of your sins. God has the master list of them anyway and then walk out of your pew. Put one foot in front of the other and walk down the aisle…saints, we need to be praying for these souls,” he paused as many flocked to the front to waiting ministers.
“It’s okay to admit that you’re failing at meeting some expectations, but God wants to give you a success story. Be made completely whole today. After you repent, be baptized in the mighty name of Jesus where there is no other name under heaven to be saved. Acts 2 says God will fill you with the Holy Ghost. I’m a witness.” He waved both hands in the air. “The Holy Ghost is real today.”
Christian nudged Joy. She gasped as Steven stood from his seat and headed to the front. Tears began to spill from her eyes. Even her husband seemed to be emotional as he pumped his fist in the air for victory.
Once Pastor Peyton ended the invitation for discipleship, the ministers dressed in white entered the pool and waited for the first candidates to be baptized. Joy’s heart pounded as she watched Steven. His stylish suit and tie were gone and in their stead were a non-descript white T-shirt, pants and socks.
After he descended into the water, Steven followed the minister’s instructions to cross his arms over his chest before submerging him. “My dear brother, upon the confession of your faith and the confidence that we have in the blessed Word of God concerning His death, burial and grand resurrection, we now indeed baptize you in the name of Jesus—the most powerful name on the face of His earth to be saved—and you shall receive the Holy Ghost. God will speak through you with tongues of fire.”
The crowd roared after each candidate, but it seemed when Steven was ducked under, all of the Andersens cheered the loudest.
CHAPTER 12
“Congratulations,” Christian said, pumping Steven’s hand after he stepped out of the chapel, where altar workers prayed with anyone wanting to receive the Holy Ghost’s tongues of fire.
Steven seemed disoriented. The look of awe on his face silently told the story that God had filled him with the Holy Ghost and he had indeed heard himself speak in unknown tongues as the two communed as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:2. Christian smiled, remembering when God filled him with the Holy Ghost.
Most of the church had cleared out to treat dads to dinner, but the Andersens waited around to be formally introduced and to encourage Steven to stay with God. Without speaking it, it was almost unanimous that Steven’s past didn’t matter anymore as he began a new chapter in his life.
Joy was the last one to congratulate him. Her eyes were glazed with unshed tears. “Steven, God will change your life.” She reached for Christian’s hand. “He did mine. Since Jada will always connect us, I hope we can be friends, not enemies.”
Thank God for giving Joy a forgiving heart, but Christian hoped that his wife wouldn’t become too friendly with her ex and invite him to celebrate Father’s Day at their house. He wanted to salvage the rest of his day with his family only. When it looked like Joy was about to say something else, Christian stepped in.
“I’m glad you came, man, and that you’re committed. I wish your fiancée was here to experience it with you, but we will be in touch.” He lifted Jada in his arms and coaxed her to wave goodbye to Steven. After shaking her head a few times, she reached for him to everyone’s amazement then scrambled back into Christian’s arms.
Steven was visibly shaken by Jada’s gesture. “I’ll work around your and Joy’s schedules and I’ll be grateful for anything. As for Gina, we had a disagreement this morning. I don’t know how we’re going to work things out, but I think it’s best if I attend a different church…to keep our lives separate.”
Christian was more than happy to agree. “I’ll text you with some names of our sister churches.” He gathered the children and tugged on his wife’s hand. It was time to go home and celebrate fatherhood.
***
“I guess I was about to go overboard,” Joy admitted back at the house while the children were changing out of their church clothes into their shorts to head to the park.
Christian faced her and cast one of his sexy looks on her. “There are certain things I’m not willing to share. You are first, my family is second. I’ll share Jesus with folks all day long, but we’re off duty. Can I have you and the four children God blessed us with all to myself?”
“Five.” Joy grinned seductively. Would he get the hint, she wondered, or would it take him a while? When it came to guessing games, Christian was always lost.
He frowned, then blinked. “Five what?” Slowly, it began to dawn on her husband what she meant. “What are you saying…that you are…” he started stuttering. She had never heard him be unsure of what to say; Joy burst out into a fit of giggles.
Lifting Joy off her feet, Christian smothered her laugh. When she was able to breathe, she panted out, “Happy Father’s Day.”
EPILOGUE
On Father’s Day the following year, in addition to entertaining his five-month-old baby boy, Justin Christopher Andersen, Christian gave Bethani extra hugs. He knew this time of year was hard for her, especially after Steven came back into Jada’s life—with restrictions—but no one heard from Langston.
Steven had happily agreed to Joy and Christian’s terms of monthly supervised visits. Gina was no longer an issue. She had broken off the engagement when she re
alized Steven couldn’t be swayed from going to church every time the doors opened. “I have a problem competing with God for your attention.” He had shared what Gina had said with Christian and Joy.
The man appeared to be at a loss without the woman he truly loved. Maybe it was a way of reaping what he sowed, but one thing Christian knew about God was He was faithful in blessing folks that weren’t worthy. Christian considered himself unworthy of having a perfect family.
Having recently celebrated her twelfth birthday, Bethani was budding into a beautiful pre-teenager. In a few years, he would have the pleasure of instilling fear if any pants-hanging, slang-talking and lack-of-home-training young man dared to ring his doorbell.
Christian was determined to show his daughter how a real man acted, looked, and treated a woman. He hoped to be her best example.
“Daddy,” Bethani whispered. “I know today is Kid’s Day, too, but I saved my babysitting money and bought you some golf balls, I want you to teach me how to play golf like Gramps and my uncles.”
Christian’s eyes sparkled as he couldn’t resist enveloping her in a hug. He kissed her forehead. “Sure, daddy’s little girl.”
Questions to ponder for you or your book club:
1. Should Joy have forced Bethani to talk to her father? Why?
2. Discuss Christian’s motivation behind his focus on celebrating his first Father’s Day.
3. Should Gina’s background affect Steven seeing Jada?
4. Discuss Steven’s salvation and his visitation rights?
5. Discuss Christian’s mindset to care for the children regardless if he was their biological father or not.
About Pat Simmons
Pat is the multi-published author of several single titles and eBook novellas, and is a two-time recipient of the Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.
As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. God is the Author who advances the stories she writes.
Pat is currently overseeing the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Pat converted her sofa-strapped, sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.
Read more about Pat and her books by visiting www.patsimmons.net or on social media.
Thanks for reading!
Other Christian Titles by Pat Simmons
The Guilty series
Guilty of Love
Not Guilty of Love
Still Guilty
The Guilty Parties series
The Acquittal
The Confession
The Jamieson Legacy
Guilty by Association
The Guilt Trip
Free from Guilt
Single titles
Crowning Glory
Talk to Me
Her Dress (novella)
The Carmen Series
No Easy Catch
In Defense of Love
Redeeming Heart
Driven to Be Loved
Love at the Crossroads
Stopping Traffic
A Baby for Christmas
The Keepsake
What God Has for Me
Making Love Work Anthology
Love at Work
Words of Love
A Mother’s Love
Holiday titles
A Christian Christmas
A Christian Easter
A Christian Father’s Day
A Woman After David’s Heart (Valentine’s Day)
Christmas Greetings
LOVE AT THE CROSSROADS SERIES
Candace Clark has a phobia about crossing the street. As fate would have it, her daughter's principal assigns her to crossing guard duties as part of the school's parent participation program. Candace begrudgingly accepts her stop sign and safety vest, then reports to her designated crosswalk. She’s determined to overcome her fears, and God opens the door for a blessing, and Royce Kavanaugh enters into her life, a firefighter built to rescue any damsel in distress.
Yes, diamonds are a girl's best friend, but in Solae Wyatt-Palmer's case, she desires something more valuable. Captain Hershel Kavanaugh is a divorcee and the father of two adorable little boys. Solae has never been married and longs to be a mother. Although Hershel showers her with expensive gifts, his hesitation about proposing causes Solae to walk and never look back. As the holidays approach, Hershel must convince Solae that she has everything he could ever want for Christmas.
Until death us do part…Desiree “Desi” Bishop is devastated when she learns of her husband’s affair. God knew she didn’t get married only to one day have to stand before a judge and file for a divorce. But Desi wants out no matter how much her heart says to forgive Michael. She sees God’s one acceptable reason for a divorce as the only opt-out clause in her marriage. Michael Bishop is a repenting man who loves his wife. If only…he had paid attention to the red flags God sent to keep him from falling into the devil’s snares. Although God’s forgives instantly, Desi’s forgiveness is moving as a snail’s pace. After all the tears have been shed and forgiveness granted and received, the couple learns that some marriages are worth keeping.
Pregnant Halcyon Holland is leaving her live-in boyfriend, taking their daughter with her. When her ex doesn’t reconcile their relationship, Halcyon begins to second-guess whether or not she compromised her chance for a happily ever after. But Zachary Bishop has had his eye on Halcyon for a long time. Without a ring on her finger, Zachary prays that she will come to her senses and not only leave Scott, but come back to God. What one man doesn’t cherish, Zach is ready to treasure and love unconditionally a ready-made family.
LOVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS SERIES
Christmas will never be the same for Joy Knight if Christian Andersen has his way. Christian and his family are busy making sure the Lord's blessings are distributed to those less fortunate by Christmas day. Joy is playing the hand that life dealt her, rearing four children in a home that is on the brink of foreclosure. She's not looking for a handout when Christian Andersen rescues her in the checkout line. Can time spent with him turn Joy’s attention from her financial woes to the real meaning of Christmas and true love?
How to celebrate Easter becomes a balancing act for Christian and Joy Andersen and their four children. Chocolate bunnies, colorful stuffed baskets and flashy fashion shows are their competition. Despite the enticements, Christian refuses to succumb without a fight. And it becomes a tug of war when his recently adopted ten year-old daughter, Bethani, wants to participate in her friend’s Easter tradition. Christian hopes he has instilled Proverbs 22:6, into the children’s heart in the short time of being their dad.
Three fathers, one Father’s Day and four children. Will the real dad, please stand up. It’s never too late to be a father—or is it? Christian Andersen was looking forward to spending his first Father’s day with his adopted children—all four of them. But Father’s day becomes more complicated than Christian or Joy ever imagined. Christian finds himself faced with living up to his name when things don’t go his way to enjoy an idyllic once a year celebration. But he depends on God to guide him through the journey.
David Andersen doesn’t want a woman to get any ideas that a wedding ring was forthcoming before he got a chance to know her if their first date is on Valentine’s Day. So he has no choice but to wait until the whole Valentine’s Day hoopla was over, then he would make his move on a sister in his church he can’t take his eyes off of. For the past two years and counting, Valerie Hart hasn’t been the recipient of a romantic Valentine’s Day din
ner invitation. To fill the void, Valerie keeps herself busy with God’s business, hoping the Lord will send her perfect mate soon.
For Saige Carter, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without family and friends to share in the traditions they’ve created together. Plus, Saige is extra excited about her line of Christmas greeting cards hitting store shelves, but when she gets devastating news around the holidays, she wonders if she’ll ever look at Christmas the same again.
Daniel Washington is no Scrooge, but he’d rather skip the holidays altogether than spend them with his estranged family. After one too many arguments around the dinner table one year, Daniel had enough and walked away from the drama. When Daniel reads one of Saige’s greeting cards, he’s unsure if the words inside are enough to erase the pain and bring about forgiveness.
MAKING LOVE WORK SERIES
Jillian Carter became a teenage mother when she confused love for lust one summer. Despite the sins of her past, Jesus forgave her and blessed her to be the best Christian example for Shana. Jillian is not looking forward to becoming an empty-nester at thirty-nine. The old adage, she’s not losing a daughter, but gaining a son-in-law is not comforting as she braces for a lonely life ahead. Shana’s biological father breezes back into their lives as a redeemed man and practicing Christian. Not only is Alex still good-looking, but he’s willing to right the wrong he’s done in the past. The widower father of the groom, Dr. Dexter Harris, has set his sights on Jillian and he’s willing to pull out all the stops to woo her. Now the choice is hers. Who will be the next mother’s love?