By BRIANA HARRIS / Staff Writer

PELHAM – At the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s 19^th annual Prayer Breakfast, keynote speaker Beth Chapman reminded attendees why they should still be thankful to live in the United States, current despite political tensions.

“This is a time to be humbly grateful,” Chapman said. “I am thankful for God, my family, my job, for Shelby County and our government. When I say that a lot of people say, ‘What are you crazy?’ But there are two reasons I’m thankful for our government – No. 1: we have one, and No. 2: you can still participate in it if you want to.”

Chapman recently visited Cuba on a business trip and saw firsthand how oppressed the nation’s residents are.

“People cannot say what they feel,” she said. “At the end of the day, whether you support Trump or Hillary – you can at least say what you think.

“Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches, but there are chain link fences separating the beaches and the resorts from the community,” she said. “You can’t even use their water to brush your teeth.”

Chapman said the trip to Cuba has made her much more thankful.

“My house looks better to me now, my children are more well-dressed now, the little things are appreciated.”

Chapman, former Alabama Secretary of State and owner of Beth Chapman and Associates LLC, said people often ask her what’s the key to her success – and her answer is prayer.

“Always be in a constant perpetual state of prayer,” she said. “I have prayer when there is nothing else. I was married to a wonderful man for 22 years, but when he was in St. Vincent’s I asked God to spare his life and God did not do that. Although my husband couldn’t help it, he left me. But God has never left me.”

Chapman ended her address asking the audience to pray for the United States, Shelby County and for those in authority over us.