Sunday, June 8, 2025, began as a normal day.
Sunday, June 8, 2025, began as a normal day. My husband, Crafton, and I went to Sunday School and afterwards I went to one of my favorite places in the building, the nursery. I look forward to spending time with our babies for that hour. We decided not to go out to eat after church because it was heavily raining. We came home, ate lunch, and I rested awhile before leaving for a bridal shower in honor of my grandson. The rain had stopped.
The location for the party was outside the town of Sumter on a lonely country road. I was born in Hebron, South Carolina, and we used to joke about the sunshine having to be pumped in. But, this place was even deeper in the woods than Hebron!
I enjoyed time with family and friends and left around 4:00 p.m., saying goodbyes, hugging, and repeating “I love you.” I want to stop here and urge each of us to please always remember to say those three words when leaving a loved one. It could be your last chance to say it!
I planned to get back home in time for church Bible study that evening. The roads were thickly crowded on both sides with fields of corn and trees, so much that I did not see a stop sign until my car was almost past it. When I realized I had not stopped for the sign, I hit my brakes and then saw a vehicle coming directly towards my door. I knew instantly I was going to be hit.
I felt the terrible impact and lost consciousness a moment, but remember being flipped three times in the air, seeing dirt coming at me through the windshield, hearing glass shattering, metal crunching, and my car slamming into the ground, upside down. My first thought was “This car is about to explode. I have to get out!” Then I heard a voice inside say, “To the right, to the right.” I was able to unbuckle the seatbelt, twist, roll, stretch and maneuver my body until I was free. Sitting in the soft, black dirt of a soybean field, I immediately began praising the Lord! “I’m alive! I’m alive!”
I looked up and a man was standing in front of me who said he had seen the accident. He asked if I was okay, and I replied, “I think I’m alive!” I was able to tell him the address of the home I’d just left. He sent his wife there to tell them what just happened and they all rushed to the scene and began contacting my family in Turbeville and Columbia. The man who had collided with me came to check on me. I told him I was okay and I asked if he was okay and he said he was. I asked him if he knew Jesus. He assured me that he did.
I was transported from the scene to Toumey Hospital in Sumter. After many tests, blood work, and scans, no bones were found broken and no concussion. I had a pneumothorax and my heart enzymes were elevated, as well as blood pressure, with lots of bruises and open wounds and I was transferred from Sumter to Richland Hospital in Columbia. After many more tests, the doctors reported the pneumothorax and elevated heart enzymes were corrected.
Now, let me tell you about my Jesus! I know there was much unity in prayers that flooded the Throne Room for me that day! And God saw fit to touch and heal my body in the ambulance–between Sumter and Columbia. Still, the pain was severe in my chest and I needed assistance getting up and down. Breathing was a challenge and I was given oxygen to help. My family was at my bedside 24/7. By Monday afternoon, I was able to move about more freely and my body showed signs of healing. I was released from the hospital on Tuesday following the accident on Sunday. Only God.
I was able to tell many doctors, nurses, custodians, EMT drivers, dieticians, about Jesus. Each one assured me that they knew Him. One of the Bible verses I leaned on during this time is Psalm 91:11– “For He shall His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” I truly felt those angels during this traumatic experience.
I gained courage to get back into a car and drive again two-and-a-half weeks later. I was about halfway to my destination when fear gripped me. Just as this feeling came over me, I spotted a church sign which said “God is Working It Out For You.” Wow! Only God!
Many times since this painful experience, I have asked God “Why did you choose to spare my life that day? Why do you love me so much?” And this is what He has revealed to me: “To continue to tell your story.”
As the words say in one of my favorite hymns: “This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.”
I pray that I will remain faithful to Him until He calls me home.
Harriette Graham Cannon lives in Turbeville, South Carolina. She retired as Administrative Assistant from the Clarendon County Schools after 17 years. She now works part-time as an Administrative Assistant for the Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church in Turbeville.
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