49. Nathan Hales ON: CPR for the Soul (Church, Prayer, Read) and how these 3 simple practices changed the course of his life. From Drug Addict with Suicidal Ideation to successful Husband and Father.

Nathan Hale is so fun to listen too. His passion and enthusiasm for life, his wife, his kids, God, The Savior Jesus Christ, and just overall believing that life is awesome are absolutely contagious! I could hardly keep up with his pace and excitement in sharing how God showed up for him when he desperately prayed and cried out for help.

 

 

As a young boy, Nate's Parents divorced which was very hard on him, he stopped engaging in school resulting in poor grades, and became involved with friends that chose to find their freedom, independence, and a release from the pressure of life through partying, drinking and drugs. After years of partying, run in's with the law, and as a full blown Alcoholic and Drug addict, Nate had become so reliant on drugs each day that he began stealing checks from his Fathers Dental practice and cashing them in large amounts. When Nate’s father discovered what was happening Nate thought his father would turn him in to the police and that his life would be over, and as he was frantically getting his belongings together to make a dash for Mexico, his Father showed up at his house unexpectedly.

 

 

Nate shares the incredible way that his Father showed up for him at this time. Nate thought for sure his Dad was coming in absolute anger, but instead, like the Father of the Prodigal Son with tear filled eyes, his Dad asked Nate to stop, rest, slow down, and come home. Unconditional parenting is incredible and you can sense the love and respect Nate has for his Father as he shares this part of the story. Even after this touching and love filled experience of forgiveness Nate had just experienced, Nate's addiction didn't just disappear.

 

 

It takes a lot of effort to become an Alcoholic/Drug Addict, and it takes a lot of work to get out of it. It wasn’t until he called a friend in an attempt to go to a club that the unexpected happened and Nate became willing to slow down and look for light in his life. His friend, also a drug addict, turned Nate’s offer down until after his meeting with two Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Reluctantly, Nate went to his buddies house with the sole purpose of getting to the club after his friend was done. When Nate arrived the Missionaries began teaching and Nate explains that it was almost as if he and one of the missionaries were in a different place, and he felt like he had known this missionary for a lot longer than his years on earth. Although this is the religion Nate’s parents belonged too and he was surrounded by throughout his life, he didn’t want anything to do with God or religion at the time because it interfered with his lifestyle; However, that all changed when Nate’s heart was truly opened up because of the spirit that he felt as the missionaries taught about Jesus Christ. 

 

 

Things started to change for Nate. His heart started to soften towards God, and the idea that there was something very special about the message the Missionaries shared. He began trying to engage, and at first it was difficult and awkward, but he continued to try. During this time he had a miracle happen as he prayed to God, trying to find out if God is real. Like a flood of light ideas and thoughts began pouring into Nate's mind and Nate knew that these thoughts and personal revelations were coming to him directly from God. His life has done a 180 degree turn since. He is an incredibly inspiring and good man and is now giving back in efforts to help those who find themselves in dark places trying to find Light.

 

 

Nate, thank you for taking time to come share your message with me and the audience. You are an incredible man that has overcome some huge trials in your life. Continue to use your story of redemption to point others to Jesus Christ. God bless you and your family my brother.

 

 

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