Little stories of BIG Hope!

06/28/2010

I witnessed a miracle and answer to prayer at a recent CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Asso.) chapter meeting. Steve and Cheryl Noland are longtime members of the chapter. Many years ago, Cheryl was previously married to Charlie Dean, with whom she had 2 children. The marriage ended in a nasty divorce.… read the rest of the story.

06/28/2010

I witnessed a miracle and answer to prayer at a recent CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Asso.) chapter meeting. Steve and Cheryl Noland are longtime members of the chapter. Many years ago, Cheryl was previously married to Charlie Dean, with whom she had 2 children. The marriage ended in a nasty divorce. After Cheryl began to date Steve, the two men got into a scuffle in which Charlie was accidentally shot. As a result, Steve spent 15 months in prison and Cheryl lost custody of her children. Since then, Cheryl has had very little contact with Charlie except for the rare phone call to inform her of one of their children’s plans to wed or join the military. Even though Steve is a Christ follower, the time in prison had left Steve with bitterness and unwillingness to forgive Charlie.

Recently, some CMA members who were unaware of this situation invited Charlie and his fiancee Tonjia to a chapter meeting. Imagine the shock and surprise. Though it made for some uncomfortable moments, both couples continued to come to chapter meetings and events. For 3 months, Steve and Charlie simply kept their distance from each other. Cheryl, however, believed Charlie’s appearance was part of God’s plan. Friends began to pray for the two men and the situation. Then it happened. Prior to the recent meeting, Steve approached Charlie and asked him for his forgiveness. Then, during the meeting, Charlie stood up to give some reports on CMA activities with which he had assisted. As he was thanking some people by name for their prayers and help, he also thanked Steve Noland. He followed this by telling everyone the story of what had happened between him and Steve 15 years earlier. He then said that he forgave Steve a long time ago, but hadn't shown it yet. So he walked across the room to where Steve and Cheryl were sitting, apologized directly to them. Steve stood up with open arms and the two men embraced in a hug.

I will never forget how these two men listened to the Holy Spirit and forgave each other, swallowing their pride to humble themselves in obedience. The work of God's Forgiveness is mighty powerful.
--Marsha Owen

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