I Broke The Policy

Romans 10:4 [61 kb]
I was the Intake Nurse long time ago. My charts that needed to be opened for those arrestees who had a medical or psychiatric problems were piling up in front of me. As I started getting to work, I was almost startled though the voice was soft. It broke through the brief solitude I had which gave me time to catch up with my charting.

“Ma’am, can I ask you for some Motrin? My tooth hurts!” bravely queried an inmate worker. He and the other worker wearing blue uniforms. They usually could be found in one corner of the Intake on the male side. Awaiting for the deputies to call them if they needed help to have something cleaned up or to pass meals during “chow times”. They sort of the errand runners for us. For medical staff, they often would get empty charts as we needed them. Or they would pick up a wheel chair or other equipment stored in our Infirmary.

“You know you need to put a sick call, right?” I replied. That was the rule. That no medications would be given to any inmate, not unless it was through a sick call when the nurse could evaluate them.

He lowered his head and pivoted to head back to the corner where he was.

“Wait! I didn’t say I wouldn’t give you any yet, right?” I added.

His face lit up. But at the same time, a little grimace was also shown.

“Are you sure you’re okay to work?”

“I think I can handle it Ma’am. I just need to try if the Motrin can help me until I finish this shift.”

I grabbed a handful of packets of Motrin after determining he didn’t have any drug allergy. His right hand, cupped and waiting for the meds to be dropped. He had a little wry smile this time.

“Sir, I’m giving you some to make you comfortable because you’re at work. But if your toothache doesn’t get better, please put a sick call. So, the nurse can determine if you need to see our dentist.”

“Thank you so much, Ma’am,” he replied with gratitude. He disappeared from where he was standing. A few minutes later, he came back and emptied my big trash can becoming full with papers and other forms of trash.

“Thank you, Sir! I appreciate your help,” I told him.

I sat there with my achy neck after finishing the charts. I started thinking…”Was I wrong on giving him that packets of Motrin because it just wasn’t allowed if not through a sick call? That meant I broke the policy?” But I strongly felt it wasn’t about breaking the policy. It was about helping someone who was in pain. And this thought came over me that brought me comfort:

That Jesus healed a crippled man on a Sabbath, where the Pharisees were just waiting for that opportunity to attack him and his ministry. Blinded by their own self-righteousness and oral laws with the intention of keeping God’s commandments, they failed to see the real meaning behind God’s laws.

“No work is allowed on Sabbath! Healing is work!” they accused Jesus.

Jesus knew their hearts…with hardness. So he asked if it was lawful to do good or evil on Sabbath, to save a life or destroy? None of the Pharisees could answer. Are there still Pharisees today? I believe so. We are like them when we build those walls around us, to separate us from sinners. Thinking that what we do is right in the sight of God. But those walls are the same walls that separated us from what God truly wants from us. What defiles us is what is in our hearts.

Oh, Lord...help us to be more like Jesus everyday. Mold our hearts. Remove the things that impede my spiritual growth. Forgive me for my sins. In Jesus' precious Name. Amen.



Self-righteousness: Our Greatest Danger

14 comments:

  1. You embodied all that HE/JESUS embodied...you did what you needed to do..what was right! You were NOT legalistic. What an example you set for those around you and for all of us. I praise GOD for all HE is doing in and through your life. I pray you have a wonderful weekend.
    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

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  2. Oh, Lord...help us to be more like Jesus everyday. Mold our hearts. Remove the things that impede my spiritual growth. Forgive me for my sins. In Jesus' precious Name. Amen.

    amen amen amen

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  3. Our Father tells us to love one another... not just on certain days... What you did was right.. I love the way you can find Christ in the stories in your life. You have an amazing talent.

    Love to you
    Kelly
    I've Become My Mother

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  4. "Remove the things that impede my spiritual growth."

    That is my prayer.

    Have a blessed and wonderful weekend my friend!

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  5. Rosel,

    I love how you tied in what people would think is a break in policy with Jesus healing of the man, WOO HOO! I wondered how this was going to work out and praise God, He never fails to surprise me.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  6. You did the right thing, bless you.

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  7. I am always so blessed by visiting you! God bless you for all that you do to love people to Jesus!
    Wylie

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  8. I love to come by and read your stories! God bless you. I don't remember if I told you about the eviction notice I received last week. Anyway, I was able to work out a repayment plan with the landlord/owner to be able to keep my Section 8 rental assistance. I wanted to move, but I just cannot afford it right now (maybe this is God's way of working things out since I was SO stressed about the thought of moving, not being able to afford a higher rent, coming up with another deposit, etc.). Please pray for mine and Madison's safety and peace of mind as we continue to live here....for now. Still looking for a job. I hope you have a great weekend! I love you.

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  9. You absolutely did the right thing Rosel...you helped a man in need and that IS what Jesus asks of us. You had compassion as usual and the man appreciated your help so I see it as you being like Christ... :) the way you ALWAYS ARE!!

    Love you

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  10. sometimes we just need to follow our hearts....

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  11. This is so beautiful. Your words make me cry, so touching. You have such a good heart.

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  12. I am a work in progress on this. Blessings to you Rosel.

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  13. Wonderful reminder!
    God bless.

    Regards.
    (I've been busy these days).

    ReplyDelete

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

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