I Can Hear And See You!

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." ~Jeremiah 33:3, NIV [emphasis mine].


He was crawling on the floor. Toward the slightly hidden toilet in a corner where he vomited. As other drunk bodies either ignored his behavior or just didn’t have a clue, too, to what was going on around each one of them. Deputies took turn. To write on the logs to make sure that everyone was okay. And my signature was in each of those logs, too. Writing down my observation. Making sure there were no obvious signs of health problems.

“Are you okay, Mr. M.?” I yelled through a thick glass partition window. He just glanced at me. And gave me a mean look. As if I bothered him to his short journey, moving inch to inch from the door toward that corner.

Then, more arrestees came. I glanced at my watch: “2:30 a.m.” That was the usual time when it would get busy at the prison’s Intake. When officers’ cars would start piling up outside the yard to bring their “arrested males or females”.

I was screening someone when a loud banging started on the glass window.

“Stop it!” yelled one of our own deputies.

“Bam! Bam! Bam!” I looked and saw Mr. M. doing sign language, with his right thumb and index finger, giving invisible puffs to his widely-opened mouth, holding his invisible inhaler.

“Nurse! I need an inhaler!” he yelled.

“Bam! Bam! Bam!”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop banging the window?” yelled the deputy another time.

“Nurse! Nurse! Bam! Bam! Bam!” I just looked calmly and finished questioning the arrestee in front of me. As I got done, I held the others waiting in line and went really quick to talk to Mr. M. who ignored me earlier. Holding an oxygen saturation monitor, the deputy opened a tiny metal door so he could put his fingers out and I took his oxygen level: 97% [which was great!].

“Take a deep breath!” I commanded. There were no audible wheezes.

“Just rest, Mr. M. I’m sorry that I can’t give you an inhaler. You’re obviously not having any asthma attacks and you are to be released in a few hours. It is our policy not to medicate those who are being released…And stop banging on the window. I can hear you and see you!” I explained.

And the banging continued after my assessment. He was mad at me for not giving him an inhaler. He kept calling for my attention when he knew that I already heard him and that I was right there so near to his cell the whole time. As he became more sober, the banging of the window lessened and he became more cooperative. I saw him let out of his cell to gather his belongings. Yes, he was freed. But one of these days, I knew I would hear him call “nurse!” again. He was trapped in the cycle of alcohol abuse. He had forgotten his own medical needs while he enjoyed his drinking. But one day, when caught again, and surely he wouldn’t be having fun locked up without his bottle, that would be the time when he would remember he has asthma.
I could just hear: “Nurse! Nurse! Bam! Bam! Bam!”…

“Lord, forgive us for the times that we forget you when everything is going great in our lives. Then, when things go wrong, that’s when some of us start calling Your Name out loud, wanting Your attention, Your help. Thank You that You are always forgiving, always waiting faithfully for those of us who have strayed so far from You. Thank You for loving us unconditionally. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”

From the video:
Man: “It has passed too much time…since I forgot Jesus…Would He ever listen to me if I call on Him now?…J…e…s…u…s… Jesus..”

Jesus: “My children rejoice! This is the old voice that I’ve wished to listen to so much for a long time…”

18 comments:

  1. You have been given such a gift of discernment Rosel ~ it amazes me how you handle these situations night after night....I know you will tell me .....by the Grace of God :) and you are absolutely correct! But...you still amaze me! and bless me every time I come here! Thank you for being such a grace filled woman of God! I love you

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  2. Rosel,
    Blessings beyond measure . . . thanks again for sharing your work with me today.
    Your sister in Christ,
    Bren

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  3. Your stories of living in God's grace and responding to His voice in knowing how to handle what you do blows my mind. You have been gifted that is for sure. Have a great weekend Rosel. :)

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  4. SIGH....wow...I could see the whole story before my eyes....powerful!

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  5. Wonderful Rosel! And Sister, congratulations on being chosen in the top 100 blogs at the Internet Cafe! You deserve it! (((hugs)))

    Love you!
    Beth

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  6. I love the scripture at the beginning of your post. Jeremiah 33:3. That has been one that has really been on my heart for the past several months.

    The video at the end gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely beautiful.

    Hugs and blessings -- hope your weekend is wonderful, just like you!

    Lisa

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  7. Many congrats on your achievement there dear one!!

    Lord I lift my friend up to you. Love that song. Cute video.

    Blessings and hugs.

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  8. Hey Rosel!

    Thank you so much for sharing your daily life journey with us!! You bless and encourage the hearts of many!!

    Praying for you as you journey along with Him!!

    He is Faithful!!

    Hugs and Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  9. I'm so grateful for God's mercy, forgiveness and grace. So grateful for His faithfulness.

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  10. Rosel, That is how I feel every time I see you have come to visit me. That you lift me to the Lord before you leave. As I do for you my friend. One day I am going to leave my email address and ask you to email me. I have a few things I would like to share. Carol

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  11. wow, poor mr. m. what a great reminder. thank you for your obediance... xoxo LA

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  12. I am so grateful He patiently calls us to Him. I love Jer 33:3!!! So thankful for the things He's been telling me lately. Have a blessed weekend friend...
    Wylie

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  13. You bless me so much by everything you share sis. I love you.

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  14. Beautiful post! I am always in for a treat when I visit you. Thank you for your continued blessings.

    Love to you
    Kelly

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  15. He is always there...always listening....always available....I am really grateful for that and grateful for you and your heart for Him. Have a great weekend. You inspire always. Sarah

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  16. Amen!
    The nearness of God is my good!
    Thank you for the inspiration dear one.
    Have a wonderful day and weekend.
    God bless!

    XO
    Regina

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  17. It seems like you must put on a certain mindset when you are at work. I would guess that you have learned to identify many forms of manipulations. Bless you in what you do.

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  18. Amazing post! You tell your stories so vividly, I can see it as though I'm there. You are a powerful storyteller. Have you ever given any thought of writing a book? If you haven't, you should if it fits within God's will, of course.

    You are truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing this with us. You are truly a blessing! :)

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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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