I want to share this story of “God’s Peace” by Chris Hall with our Hartselle Enquirer readers.

This story is reprinted by permission from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church’s Disability Ministries Newsletter and Chris Hall.

“God’s Peace”

by Chris Hall

In November 2005, I was driving to work, as I had thousands of times, when suddenly, a car swerved into my lane and ran into my car head-on. Following the impact, I was unconscious for just a few seconds.

Chris Hall

When I awoke, I was turned sideways in the seat, having trouble breathing. Although I didn’t know it at the time, my neck was broken. As I was having more and more difficulty breathing, I realized that I might be dying.

I had always had a terrible fear of death. Suddenly, a feeling of calmness filled the entire car. Even though I did not know whether I was going to live or die, I felt totally at peace and knew that God was with me.

I knew that if I were going to die, I was going to live with the Father and His Son. At that point, I was no longer afraid to die. I have been paralyzed from my shoulders down since my injury in 2005 and probably always will be.

Over the past seven years, I have been on a ventilator for three months, had 18 surgeries and lived in constant pain. Throughout it all, I have felt God’s peace. I do not fear what the future may bring because God will always be with me.

The preceding article was written by Chris Hall, a member of Monte Sano United Methodist Church. Chris and his wife Brenda were both teachers at Calhoun Community College until Chris’s injury.

Since retiring from teaching, they volunteer as speakers with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and tutor at the community elementary school. I would like to ask that our readers please say a special prayer for Chris and his family and may God bless you Chris and Brenda.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Diann Alexander and Jeremy Lacy, both on Dec. 1; Greg Roden and Tut McCaghren, both on Dec. 2; Sandra Roden on Dec. 4; Karen Callahan on Dec. 5; Betty Boyd and Aiden Steelman, both on Dec. 6; Rachel Terry and Heather Roden, both on Dec. 7; Virgil Vest on Dec. 8; Pat Franklin on Dec. 10; Sadie Long and Waymon Alexander, both on Dec. 11; Edith Parker on Dec. 12; Peggy Holloway and Billy Terrell on Dec. 13; Joe Logan on Dec. 14; Johnny Vest and Don Clark both on Dec. 17; and Shane Parker and Aimee Self Pittman, both on Dec. 18.

Happy birthday wishes also go out this week to Charles Austin on Dec. 19, Chris Lacy on Dec. 20, Ryan Johnson on Dec. 21, Katelyn Self on Dec. 22 and Trevor Sherrill on Dec. 23.

Special belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week to De and Lori McGuire, who celebrated their second wedding anniversary on Dec. 11.

Special belated happy wedding anniversary wishes also go out this week to Charles and Robyn Morgan, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on Dec. 12.

Wonderful belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week to Jeremy and Angie Johnson, who celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on Dec. 8.