I didn’t know what to do or say, so I did what any Christian would do in this situation. I prayed. I didn’t negotiate with God nor did I hear a booming voice from heaven. I simply said, “God I need your help, I’m in over my head!” Then I pictured in my mind Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I could see Him bowing His knee before God and praying before He went to the cross. I could hear Him say, as if He was right next to me, “God, if there is any way possible, let this cup pass from me.” I prayed those same words. Then I remembered what Jesus said next. “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

At that moment, I realized something I had known since I became a Christian at age 13. As a Christian, no matter what happens to me in this life, if I live or die, I am firmly in God’s hands.

My wife, Dawn, had just written to tell me she was pregnant. I thought I’d never see her again or hold my child.

If by some miracle of God I survived this situation, I would go home to my family. As a Christian I also knew if I died I’d go home to heaven and be with my Savior. So no matter what happens to me tonight, I’m going home. I’m going to be safe, I thought.