Steve:
Traveling through Jackson, Mississippi at about midnight we realized our tire was almost flat. We stopped at the firs station we came across. I didn’t realize it wasn't the best area to stop. I started putting air in the tire. While we were there a man drove up beside us.
Melinda:
This car pulled up with three young men and one young lady, ages probably around 18-21. One of the men rolled down his window and asked Steve if he had a dollar. We thought he wanted to get air for his tire. Steve reached in his pocket. He didn’t have a dollar. He asked me, “Melinda, do you have a dollar?”
Steve:
When I reached into my pocket the young man stepped out of the car with a gun and put it to my head. He said, “Give me everything you’ve got.” At that time his demeanor and attitude changed. Looking in his eye I knew or felt for sure this man was going to pull the trigger. He was going to shoot us. We could have identified them so it was obvious he was intending to shoot us.
Melinda:
The young man got out of the car and put the gun very close to Steve’s head. I didn't see it happen. I’m still looking for my dollar. When I’m about to get out of the car Steve slams the door with his foot. I didn't take that too well. I wondered, “Why is he doing that? He just asked for a dollar.” I did get out of the car, and then see the man has a gun pointed at Steve’s head. Another man is going through or car.
Steve:
In the most calm voice Melinda said, “Jesus.” She wasn't even looking at us but out toward the station. About ten seconds later she said it again.
Melinda:
I was terrified. I was standing there pretty much in shock, not knowing what to do. And without any conscious effort about what to say, “Jesus.” just came out.
Steve:
The second time she said, “Jesus.” he looked at me and said, “What did she say?” He’s all excited. I’m afraid he may even shoot us by accident. Trying to clam him down I said, “She said, Jesus.” When I said that he stepped back. It was like he was hit in the head with a hammer.
Melinda:
The man with the gun to Steve’s head frantically said, “What did she say? What did she say?” He got a very frightened look in his eyes. I don’t know if they were on drugs, or what all was transpiring.
Steve:
The man finally said, “OK! OK!” He walked toward his car, still pointing the gun at us, like he wanted to pull the trigger but could not. I don’t know if God put the gun on safety or what, but he could not pull the trigger. When the men got to their car they closed the door and took off.
Melinda:
All four of them got into their car and drove away. We were just overwhelmed at the goodness of God. Then our nerves totally collapsed. We began to pray, saying, “Thank you Jesus.”, that our lives had just been spared.
Steve:
All the calmness that we had totally changed. We just about had a heart attack. Then we gave God thanks and praise because he rescued us. A lot of people said, “Well, he would not have shot you.” I didn't know for sure that he would have shot us, but I felt like he would.
Three weeks later one of the Mississippi pastors called me. He said, “Steve, you’re not going to believe this, but the same man came to the gas station again, pulled out his gun and shot two people in the head and killed them. I’m now fully aware of the fact that he would have killed us had we not said the name of Jesus.
Discussions