Wednesday, July 9, 2008

scary stuff

A girl from our youth group (which really isn't ours anymore) called last night to tell us about the harrowing experience she had the night before. She works at a local sandwich shop and as she was working that night, two men came in and robbed the place - at gun point! She actually had a gun held to her head while they took money from the drawer and took the purses of two of the patrons in the store.

After this girl's call, I couldn't get her story or the image of someone holding a gun to her head, out of my mind. Partly because I had a similar experience. When I was a junior or senior in High School, I worked at a small, independent drug store as a cashier. One day a man came to my register and as he lifted his shirt showing me a gun in his waistband, he demanded that I open the draw and give him all the money.

I remember being in a state of shock and not much else. Evidently, after opening the drawer, I moved away and allowed him to reach in and take whatever he wanted. After he left, I stumbled to the back room, told the manager and then collapsed into a chair, shaking uncontrollably. Tears followed shortly thereafter.

Knowing how I felt after my incident where the gun was only shown and never pointed at me, I can only imagine how this girl felt during, immediately after, and then long term, after having a gun pointed at her head. It's definitely something that stays with you for a long time. It must be some form of post-traumatic syndrome and my heart breaks knowing that this sweet young lady has to deal with this.

I, as well as she, would appreciate any prayers on her behalf for peace of mind and feeling safe as she deals with the emotional shock of this incident.

10 comments:

Momma Roar said...

I've never had anything like that happen and it does sound very terrifying.

I'm getting ready to walk and that is when I have my prayer time, so I will be remembering her in my prayers!

Just Mom said...

Just said a prayer of thanks that both you and she were unharmed, and that she will have peace of mind knowing He is there for her.

Heidi Jo Comes said...

all the planning in the world can't possibly prepare someone for that kind of scenario. having Christ beside, behind, and inside us is the only peace.

Unknown said...

I know how she feels. This happened to me back in 1997. I worked as a clerk in a motel. Dude came in and gun to my head took the money and left. I couldn't move or speakI was shaking so bad and one of the customers came in right after that and said he wanted his $2 key deposit back. WTF i just told him we had been robbed.

Dana a/k/a Sunshine said...

I've never had this happen to me before, but I can imagine it would be life changingly terrorizing. I'l pray that she is able to put the incident behind her.

I guess the guy got away with it?

Melissa said...

What a horrible experience! My cousin had something like this happen to her when she worked at a bank. So scary!

Momma Roar said...

I answered your question on my blog, if I was understanding correctly...T was weed whacking the grass around the lids to our septic system. I had mowed earlier. And the kids do enjoy helping....sometimes!

Susan said...

What a horrible experience. It's so sad that there is so much meanness in the world today. I will certainly be praying for this young girl.
Susan

Jamey said...

Wow, that is some scary stuff!! I bet it brought back memories for you and I bet you were the perfect person for her to talk to. Scary!!

carrie said...

that sounds mortifying! that poor girl and you too! I've often thought about what that would be like at work. It's not a pleasant thought.