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

My Feet Were Washed...

I’m finally able to unwind yesterday and be able to go back here and acknowledge being “tagged” and being given a “blog blessing”.

Those of us who consider ourselves the Lord’s servants have a hard time receiving from others. Although Jesus said, “it’s more blessed to give than to receive” these few words I want to share with you also says, “it is blessed to receive” - [from “Treasury of God’s Virtues”]

“Didn’t Jesus have the apostles wash one another’s feet and even His feet? I only want to wash other people’s feet. Lord, please humble me enough to let them wash mine.”

With that, I want to let the “taggers” and those of you who had shared their blog blessings with me know that it’s not about being tagged or be given blog awards, but it is your friendships that I treasure and I’m grateful for. I want you to know how much your friendship and your love mean to me. Because I know it all originates from our awesome Lord.

Sister Christy and Sister Andrea, two wonderful friends/sisters, tagged me and here you go:

"8" Things I Look Forward To:

>1. To "retire" in the Kingdom where my citizenship belongs
>2. To have a "godly" leader in all branches of government and other institutions
>3. For more people to know about Christ and His gift of salvation
>4. For the Lord to lead me where He really wants me so I can serve Him
>5. For my neck pain [I had a neck injury from work in 1997] to vanish
>6. To grow old with my dear husband gracefully as we watch our son grow up and mature
>7. To enjoy each day knowing God is always there no matter what trials
>8. To be able to keep writing for the Lord and composing songs for His glory

>“8” Things I did yesterday:

>1. Was at work and wow! It was a quiet weekend so it was a nice break. [Thank You Lord!]
>2. Headed to Starbucks off a freeway ramp and got a “venti” mocha to keep me up
>3. Tired when I got home but did my devotion before getting some “zzz’
>4. I was like a zombie so I just slept and ate in-between. Been a night owl for 19 years now.
>5. Watched an old movie “Ice Age” on tv with my hubby and son
>6. Got on line and read some uplifting posts from fellow bloggers
>7. Ate a small piece of “power bar” and some water
>8.Said good night and I love You to the Lord, my hubby and my son and passed out on the couch

“8” Things I Wish I Can Do:

>1. Sing well with my guitar [It’s okay. God said, “love your voice anyway”]
>2. Wanted to be a Forensic Nurse [It’s okay. God said “no” You’re where I want you to be.]
>3. Wish my mom had taught me her cooking secrets because she was an awesome cook [It’s okay. My hubby and son remember to always have only “good things” come out of their mouths…so, they seem to love whatever I put on the table]
>4. Serve older people [someday…God willing]
>5. Travel all over USA [God willing]
>6. Encourage a lot of people and be able to lead them to the Lord [so “
help me God!”]
>7. Play tennis [because my son loves it]
>8. Play the piano [because I love this instrument, too]

“8” Shows I enjoy:

>Nothing really in particular. I’d rather read or surf the net.

>PHOTO TAG:


1st folder/10th pic:

I went to visit my friend one time and this huge rose from their garden caught my eyes and for fun just took an aim with my camera.



6th folder/6th pic:



One of the pics my son took when we enjoyed the cloud formations one day and that was the roof of our house.


In another note, I’m so honored when Silver had shared with me her blog award. Here’s what this award is all about:



Ces designed this award to celebrate art in the blogs and to honor the value of friendship, sisterhood, sharing and caring. It is to be awarded to the gifted, accomplished, eloquent and talented blogger whose friendship and influence inspire us to do our best. That I named it after Bella Sinclair is because she epitomizes all of these things. She is an inspiration to many of us”.

“I hope that when Bella returns, this award would have already circulated in the blogs. It is my honor to give this award to the first recipients who I hope will find the same pleasure as I have in spreading its crown, giving shade and the comfort of friendship and caring and of sisterhood by sharing this award with their blog-friends and sisters!”



And that’s what I’m all for, too. Now that I had received all these blessings from these wonderful sisters, the best part is to be able to give them out to all of you, wonderful friends.


Please visit sister Christy, sister Andrea and Silver to get to know them more.

I want to share these to all of you who come here and continue to inspire and encourage me in so many ways. Please don’t let it end here. So, let “your feet” be washed by me and accept these tags and blog award. God bless you all. Thank you for always visiting me.

All posts/composed songs copyright by RCUBEs.



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