What would you do if you’d been put in prison for 33 years for a crime you didn’t commit?
Charles Livingston knows. He lived that nightmare.
I received the great pleasure of meeting Charles and writing his story for Reach Out, Columbia magazine.
Since the article came out, God’s been moving through it in exciting and unusual ways.
Here’s Charles’ story:
Click to download the inspiring story of Charles Livingston ~ Free Indeed (PDF file)
Now let me share how God has been sending this article out and bringing people hope in unusual ways and places.
Hope Found On a Bus
One gentleman scooped the magazine up on a bus after a lady who’d been reading it left it on her seat.
He flipped through the pages and recognized Charles’ name and picture. He once served in Kirkland Correctional with Charles.
After reading the article, he found Charle’s contact information and called him. He’d planned to wait until he got home to call, but he was too excited.
He told Charles how difficult life had been for him recently, but after reading what God had done in Charles, he had hope again. He knew God would take care of him, too.
The more he talked with Charles, the more tears fell down his face and God’s goodness overwhelmed him.
A Hard Heart Softened
One lady read the article with skepticism.
Her neighbor had told her about the article. She remembered reading the headlines and news reports of that horrifying case long ago.
She was not a fan of Charles Livingston, the man sent away 33 years ago.
As she read the article, God softened her heart, and she asked her neighbor, “Do you think we can get Charles to come talk with the kids in our neighborhood?”
Vision Born Behind Bars
I sent the article to a friend of mine who’s in prison.
After she read it, she called and said, “Jean, I know God would use an innocent man, but do you think God would use someone who’s guilty, too?”
It broke my heart.
“Yes!” I said. “Absolutely! Remember King David!”
I could almost hear a smile spread across her face.
She couldn’t wait to begin asking God to do in and for her as He did for Charles.
She wants her time behind bars to count for God’s glory and bring hope to the many around her who’ve lost all hope.
Who’s Next?
It was such an honor and joy to write this article about what God has done in and through Charles. I can’t wait to see who God is going to touch next with his story.
I hope you’ll share this inspiring story with others.
And if you do share it and hear of something great God does through it, please share it with me through my contact page. I’d love to share it with Charles.
Reach Out, Columbia magazine was a free local magazine with a Christian worldview. Each issue was packed with stories of what God’s doing in others’ lives and helpful articles to encourage our own walk of faith.
