A Wink from God

Noah Webster defines “coincidence” as: a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. The Creator of the Universe calls those occurrences: God inspired moments. It was autumn 1951. Billy Graham had just concluded a massive crusade in Los Angeles and was heading home to North Carolina for a 6-week crusade in Greensboro. One evening a young boy and his mother went to the fairgrounds to hear this dynamic young pastor and when Billy began to invite those present to come forward, this mom and her son began to make their way to the stage. And then it happened… a well-dressed young man with a Bible walked toward them and bent down. He said, “Hello, my name is Rod Middlebrook, what’s yours?” “I’m Cecil Little and this is my mom. We’re going to get saved.” Rod asked him if he was sure he wanted to do that. As the music blared, 12-year-old Cecil confirmed his intentions and that night at the Greensboro Fairgrounds, Cecil Little gave his life to Christ. mom, it was good enough for me.” Over the years Cecil’s relationship with Jesus flourished. He eventually met a girl named Pat in high school. Even bought her a 10-cent Coke at the corner drug store. In 1960, he married her, calling that Coke “the most expensive soft drink I’ve ever purchased”! But Pat laughs and adds, “it’s the most rewarding one he’s ever bought.” So, what happened to that 25-year old counselor, Middlebrook? He visited Cecil a few times before they eventually drifted apart. Life was good for Cecil and Pat. They were strong in their faith, had a chain of convenience stores and everything was good. One day a man walked into one of their stores smelling of alcohol and cursing up a storm. “All I wanted to do was get this guy out of the store,” Cecil recalled. But a few years later their path crossed again. This time there was no foul language, no tinge of alcohol but rather a quiet peace and real change. Cecil is celebrating 36 years with CBMC.

Cecil at age 12

“Looking back on that night 69 years ago, there were two voices in my head. One was quietly compelling me to go forward,” said Little. “The other one was yelling, ‘don’t do it, you won’t have any fun in your life.’” Then Cecil added, “But I knew, that if it was good enough for my The man said, “Cecil, you won’t believe this but I’m a new man, saved by the grace of God.” He asked Cecil to attend a CBMC event and he quickly accepted. After a few CBMC events, Little began to discover what so many other men in that group had found, some guys he could relate to, a band of brothers he wanted to know much better. “I knew God was pursing me and these men taught me how to walk closer to Him.” Cecil added, “CBMC is what gave me the confidence to see that what I did in 1951 was etched in the Book of Life forever.”

In the 1980’s, Cecil walked into a gas station in Greensboro and handed the cashier his credit card. The man looked at it and asked, “Excuse me, but did you ever live on Camden Road?” “Yes, sir, I did,” was

Written by: Phil Stone Long-time friends, Phil Stone and Cecil Little

Cecil’s answer. “I’m Rod Middlebrook, I led you to Christ several years ago!”

“When Cecil came home and told me that story, I was amazed because I don’t remember him ever telling me about Rod,” Pat smiled. Cecil and Rod drifted apart yet again for almost 20 years when one day Cecil was telling his attorney about Rod. He told him he would love to reconnect with Rod but had no idea how to find him. His attorney quietly said, “I can help you with that, Rod was just here discussing estate planning with me.” Oh my, yet another wink from God! They reconnected once more and for several years, Cecil picked Rod up and took him to CBMC events. They celebrated their love for Jesus together and before Rod went to be with the Lord in 2014, he gave Cecil the tattered Bible he carried throughout World War II and the same one he used to lead Cecil to Christ in 1951.

This year, Cecil and Pat became first time donors to the CBMC national ministry. “We decided to step up and give back to a ministry that has been here for us for so many years,” Cecil whispered. “The resources, the encouragement, the relationship, my Timothies… what a privilege. We had never been asked to donate and we’re thrilled to be able to give back.

Cecil’s wife Pat summed it all up beautifully, “One of the things I enjoy most is seeing the joy in Cecil’s eyes. He’s so passionate about CBMC.”