We Can't Manipulate God

Down on the cold tile floors in the unit’s bathroom, the paraplegic man was lying down on his left side, all of his weight, shifted towards that side. The smell of fecal material was noticeable as I took the blood pressure cuff and my own stethoscope to check for his blood pressure.

The other two LVN’s who rushed with me when they heard the distress call over the radio, started putting the IV bag together and the other supplies we needed to start a peripheral intravenous fluid. The inmates on their individual bunk beds were slowly awakening to the soft commotion going on.

The deputy noticed him there, motionless for just a very few minutes. He said that he was not able to go to the bathroom for a few days now. Typical of those who had paraplegia as their bowel or urinary functions were affected by damaged discs or nerves on their spine. If straining, it was possible that he had suffered from vasovagal episode.

“I can’t move. I’m so dizzy!” as he slightly moaned and both of his upper arms showing some spastic movements.

Prior to responding, I briefly read his chart and I had learned that he had been a paraplegic for 36 years after a terrible motor vehicle accident. His bilateral lower legs were completely useless. He moved around using the already well-inspected wheel chair, cleared by the medical staff for his way to ambulate.

His veins were hard to locate, if there was one, it was so thin I already knew that even if I attempted, it would just blow up. But since I had already asked for an ambulance, my concern was just to aid him with his breathing as his oxygen saturation [level in blood] was slightly low at 94%. I connected the nasal cannula tubing to the oxygen tank and to both of his nostrils. I turned the dial up until it registered to the number “2” - [2liters of oxygen per minute]. He liked it and uttered it was helping him to breathe better. He was severely overweight, approximately 300 or more pounds. I asked for a C-Spine board to make it easier for the paramedics to transfer him from the bathroom’s floor to their guerney and to the hospital.

It took 4-5 deputies plus 2 paramedics to transfer him from the floor to the guerney. I gave my report and off to the hospital he went for further evaluation from the Emergency Room physicians.

Coming back from the unit, the charge nurse told me that this same inmate was known for faking “mandowns”. He used to be housed in Unit 15 where medically-sick people are often housed. Not that the inmates there get nicer treatment but there were more privileges because of their physical and mental conditions. It was hard that some inmates try their best to fake their sicknesses so they can be housed in this unit. This inmate was always out to the hospital every week it seemed.

So, the charge nurse made an arrangement with the Unit 15 Nurse to admit this inmate when he returned from the hospital. Though it was not needed for his case, it seemed to be the better choice to prevent him from faking his illnesses and causing a lot of financial cost that would just add to the already strained budget in our county’s system.

Yes, the inmates can try many ways to get what they want it seems. They manipulate the system and how they try so hard to do their best!

But that’s not how it works with our relationship with the Lord. How often do we go in our own ways and plan our own, excluding Him when things do not go the way we want them to go? How often do we insist on having our prayers answered “now” when God knows the perfect timing for everything?

God has given each of us a purpose for living and we need to trust Him to guide us. We can discover the truths He wants us to know from His Word. And as these truths work in us, God can use us in a way He can use no one else. But the question is , are you willing to follow Him? Remember, living for God is all “about Him”, not about us.

“He made everything beautiful in His time” – “Ecclesiastes 3:11

“So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally, you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7

“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all. – Romans 8:9

17 comments:

  1. I am SO guilty of wanting my answers NOW! It is one of my greatest trials - it is so hard to sit and wait on the Lord's perfect timing - but that is just what it is...PERFECT timing! Sometimes we get in the way of His perfect will for us - I am constantly doing this.

    You are such a good example to us all. You are truly growing in the Lord where you have been planted - I am sure that you make a huge difference in the lives of these inmates everyday and a great example of His love to them - which they can't help but see. Even though it must be so hard to keep your feelings about what they have done in their lives separate from the way you give care to them, you treat them the way Christ would - with compassion and dignity!

    I am so glad to have found your wonderful blog - and I appreciate all of the encouragement you have sent my way my new sister friend in Christ! I hope to give some encouragement to you as well - I know your job must be very trying and it must be hard to always keep your spirits up day to day.

    Thank you for your sweet comments. I am excited to see where God will lead ME in my new nursing adventure!
    Blessings to you,
    Kymber

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  2. Unfortunately, I pull lots of "mandowns" in my own life, demanding my own way with little or no regard for God's plan.

    Great post, as usual.

    Blessings to you in your work.

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  3. "Who can do more? We with our own energy and wisdom, or the God who created heaven and earth and who can work in space-time history with a power which none of us has?"

    Francis A. Schaeffer, Death in the City, page 142.

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  4. Indeed, "everything is beautiful in GOD's time." I love watching GOD reveal Himself through these areas in my own life....you know the areas you would rather not deal with or face. GOD has a perfect plan and I praise HIM for it.
    Love ya, andrea

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  5. My Sweet, Sweet Friend,

    You are a treasure, do you know that? I love you dearly and you are a treasure to me and to every one who comes here because you are of Him and you write for Him and you are Humble! You are a shining example of what He wants all of us to be, you truly are Rosel.

    I watched a television show a couple of nights ago about inside life in the prisons. I immediately thought of you and how you handle and treat the inmates that you have there. It takes a special kind of person to do that kind of work, one that God designed to do so and you are one of them dear friend. It made me appreciate even more of what you do in the line of duty in your job, but His grace and love are all over you and you shine...you shine in the darkest of places to work...you shine and it's all because of Him and your choice to follow, love and trust in Him and His Word and Promises every single minute of your life.

    I love you dear friend and thank you with all of my heart for the love, blessings, encouragement, support, prayers and friendship that you have bestowed upon me in your many, many comments on my site. You are such an encourager and such an inspiration to so many. Praise be to God our Almighty Father for His gift of life to you dear friend. You have blessed not only me, but so many through your love and obedience through Him.

    God bless you my dear friend,
    Alleluiabelle

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  6. Rosel,

    Too true for me as well that waiting for God's answer to prayers is difficult. I often expect the answer shortly after I utter Amen, and there follows my distress. I expect Him to answer in my timing and forget it's all about His timing.

    Grace comes when you realize that God's timing is really the best and other things come about during that time of patience.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  7. Rosel,

    Thankyou for your prayers and obedience this morning. The scripture you gave and the Lord washed over me time and time again throughout the day. I have literally breathed the Holy Spirit all day and he gave rest to my mind, His perfect love truly did cast out my fears! Thankyou my precious friend....I love you with all of my heart and praise the Lord for you and your friendship.

    I know you operate this way and more with these inmates. Praying continually for wisdom, compassion and protection each and every day no matter where you are! You walk in HIM and glorify HIM no matter where you are!

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  8. You reminded me of this very kind little lady at the hospital i met..she was so full of the love of the Lord, offering hope and comfort wherever she went..

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  9. Thank you for being you, I love you my friend.

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  10. Rosel,
    This is such a wonderful post! Waiting on God's timing is so hard for most of us. Recognizing that in our efforts to get what we want, we try to manipulate the system is very eye opening. God does not have a system to manipulate. His system is ask and receive because Jesus made it possible. Wait and see that I love you and will take care of you. This is just great revelation. I loved it!
    Christy

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  11. I know I say this almost every time I comment but it is so true...you are in such a unique mission field...and you are brave and loving at the same time. I love the lessons you bring to this blog!

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  12. Thank you for this post. I find the hospital such a sacred place--touching people in such an vulnerable and intimate space. Love to you.

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  13. Thank you for this wonderful message! Hope all is well!

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  14. This is such a powerful post, Rcubes. Just lately, I have been praying (almost forcing) God to give to my cousin the job she badly need so much. We have been praying for that for almost three weeks, and yesterday, she got the call, not accepting her to work with them. :(
    But definitely, God has a better answer. We may get sad right now... but we just have to have faith in HIM.

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  15. im moved.

    Praise God i went through your post.

    God bless you more!

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  16. Going back to your previous post,

    i wonder if you could help me with your song hehe...i feel like i needed to hear you sing it...pls pls pls

    ~~~A Song For Father

    Thank You Father for breathing me this life
    It's not easy here to survive
    Please let me live according to Your will
    May I be like Christ in everything

    Thank You Father for giving us Your Son
    This life is worthless if He didn't come
    Through Jesus, You and I are one
    Thank You Father for Your perfect plan.

    God bless you my dear friend in Christ.

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  17. This story of this soul is very touching and moving. Always something I can find I can relate to. An awesome message. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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