Fifteen minutes to 08:00 in the morning, my other co-worker and I were taking turns running around, seeing one sick inmate after another. Then, she ran to a unit when they asked for help as the inmate seemed to be having a seizure. Five minutes later, another distress call over the radio was requesting for Medical staff’s help.
“Possible heart attack,” the call blared.
“Unit 13 nurse copy. Enroute in 1,” I replied [meaning I was on my way and that’s my ETA was in 1 minute at the max].
“They couldn’t say that! [“heart attack”],” exclaimed the newly-arrived day charge nurse getting her report from our night shift lead nurse.
“Perhaps, they’re panicking. I’m on my way now,” I replied to her.
“Okay, then call us if you need help,” she uttered.
The hallway was long though it was the same hallway that led to our Infirmary. I hurried my little steps as I toted the heavy emergency bag, praying for the Lord to protect me and guide me with His wisdom and I asked for discernment.
The heavy metal door popped open. The unit deputy met me and had warned me that there was some issue earlier with the same man, complaining of chest pain now. He complained about other inmates being noisy but there was really no one making such a big noise. When they told him to go back to his bed, that was when he started complaining of chest pains.
The inmate workers were serving “chow” [breakfast trays]. They had barely finished their meals. As I approached the particular cell, there were perhaps, twenty-something bodies lined up against the wall as the deputy went with me and assisted me to a the farthest bed in a corner. On it was a seventy-something man, laying on his left side and while clutching his mid-chest, started moaning a lot and was complaining of severe pain. Since I noticed he was breathing okay, I had requested the deputy to put him on a guerney and I would rather take him to the Clinic because if anything happened, all of our equipments were there and there would be more nurses to help me, in case it was a true heart attack and if he coded.
Five minutes later, as he still clutched his chest, I tried hard to take his vital signs. Everything appeared normal. The blood pressure was not that bad. I motioned for him to get on top of the exam table so I could do an EKG to check if there was something going on with his heart.
It took a while before the other nurse and I got a good reading, as even a minor movement would affect the result. We didn’t see anything to be of concern and as we were trying to read the EKG, he started complaining:
“I got kicked!” while moaning still.
“Who kicked you?” I asked.
“This tall, Hispanic deputy in my unit. I told him that there were 2 inmates who were loud and he got upset and kicked me!” he claimed.
I didn’t see any inflammation nor bruising on the area he mentioned as source of pain. It was slightly tender to the touch. There was no deformity. If he had any broken ribs, for sure, he wouldn’t be able to breathe and even talk. He denied any prior injury and his chart noted his history of diabetes. I stopped asking him and reported to the day charge nurse, who in turn, immediately notified the Sargeant. He would probably need to do a further investigation regarding the man’s claim, because the deputy was involved.
This situation is tough. How do we know who’s telling the truth? The Lord warns us not to judge and He’s so right on that. Every story seems so true until you hear both sides. One thing is for sure, it’s only the Lord Who knows who’s telling the truth for He sees all of our actions, words, and even thoughts.
It was time for me to leave as I finished the EKG and my report to the charge nurse. The doctor would be in, in just a few minutes. My heart was heavy. I just prayed that the Lord would help the man if he was telling the truth for it to come out. And if he wasn’t, I still prayed for him that he wouldn’t get in so much trouble.
Proverbs 12:19 –“The lip of truth shall be established forever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Romans 14:13 –“Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”
Matthew 7:2 –“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Job 28:24 –“For He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”
“Possible heart attack,” the call blared.
“Unit 13 nurse copy. Enroute in 1,” I replied [meaning I was on my way and that’s my ETA was in 1 minute at the max].
“They couldn’t say that! [“heart attack”],” exclaimed the newly-arrived day charge nurse getting her report from our night shift lead nurse.
“Perhaps, they’re panicking. I’m on my way now,” I replied to her.
“Okay, then call us if you need help,” she uttered.
The hallway was long though it was the same hallway that led to our Infirmary. I hurried my little steps as I toted the heavy emergency bag, praying for the Lord to protect me and guide me with His wisdom and I asked for discernment.
The heavy metal door popped open. The unit deputy met me and had warned me that there was some issue earlier with the same man, complaining of chest pain now. He complained about other inmates being noisy but there was really no one making such a big noise. When they told him to go back to his bed, that was when he started complaining of chest pains.
The inmate workers were serving “chow” [breakfast trays]. They had barely finished their meals. As I approached the particular cell, there were perhaps, twenty-something bodies lined up against the wall as the deputy went with me and assisted me to a the farthest bed in a corner. On it was a seventy-something man, laying on his left side and while clutching his mid-chest, started moaning a lot and was complaining of severe pain. Since I noticed he was breathing okay, I had requested the deputy to put him on a guerney and I would rather take him to the Clinic because if anything happened, all of our equipments were there and there would be more nurses to help me, in case it was a true heart attack and if he coded.
Five minutes later, as he still clutched his chest, I tried hard to take his vital signs. Everything appeared normal. The blood pressure was not that bad. I motioned for him to get on top of the exam table so I could do an EKG to check if there was something going on with his heart.
It took a while before the other nurse and I got a good reading, as even a minor movement would affect the result. We didn’t see anything to be of concern and as we were trying to read the EKG, he started complaining:
“I got kicked!” while moaning still.
“Who kicked you?” I asked.
“This tall, Hispanic deputy in my unit. I told him that there were 2 inmates who were loud and he got upset and kicked me!” he claimed.
I didn’t see any inflammation nor bruising on the area he mentioned as source of pain. It was slightly tender to the touch. There was no deformity. If he had any broken ribs, for sure, he wouldn’t be able to breathe and even talk. He denied any prior injury and his chart noted his history of diabetes. I stopped asking him and reported to the day charge nurse, who in turn, immediately notified the Sargeant. He would probably need to do a further investigation regarding the man’s claim, because the deputy was involved.
This situation is tough. How do we know who’s telling the truth? The Lord warns us not to judge and He’s so right on that. Every story seems so true until you hear both sides. One thing is for sure, it’s only the Lord Who knows who’s telling the truth for He sees all of our actions, words, and even thoughts.
It was time for me to leave as I finished the EKG and my report to the charge nurse. The doctor would be in, in just a few minutes. My heart was heavy. I just prayed that the Lord would help the man if he was telling the truth for it to come out. And if he wasn’t, I still prayed for him that he wouldn’t get in so much trouble.
Proverbs 12:19 –“The lip of truth shall be established forever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
Romans 14:13 –“Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”
Matthew 7:2 –“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Job 28:24 –“For He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”
So true, only God knows the truth of the heart my friend. I love you.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you have to be very cautious not to make a judgement. Clearly, it could go either way. I pray GOD will reveal the truth in this and "every" situation you face.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayer. I am much better this afternoon. It was a tough morning. My body has become sensitive to foods, etc. I have struggled today with one of the worst headaches I think I have ever had. Thank GOD for relief. He is truly the GREAT PHYSICIAN!!
GOD bless you,dear friend!!
Blessings, andrea
God is the truth. Great message! Hope all is well.
ReplyDeletePlease visit my new friend at:
ReplyDeletehttp://betweentwopoles.blogspot.com
I met her a month or so ago. She lives in texas and is really struggling right now. She needs the prayers of many prayer warriors.
Thank you, andrea
Wow. Every time I come here, I'm so blessed by what you share. You know, one of the thing that strikes me here is the great sense of fairness you possess. You are a Truth Seeker.
ReplyDeleteBlessed again here on the "Beaten Trek."
Hi Dear Friend,
ReplyDeleteYes, you are certainly right. Only the Lord knows who is telling the truth. You have a true, loving, sincere heart for all mankind. Your intercessory prayers for the inmates and people that you work with are amazing and that's exactly what He wants us all to do. You are a shining example for all who know you and all you come here my friend...a shining example of always putting Him first and going to Him first above all other people, things and actions. It is clear how much you love Him and how much He is in the lead in your life. You are a faithful one and I love you sweet sister.
Peace be with you this night,
Alleluiabelle
Hi there,
ReplyDeletethis is milk and would like to thank you for praying for my cousin.
He is doing well now in their house.
The findings is that he has a gastroenteritis that leads to dehydration.
He is safe now and still under medication.
Thank you so much for praying po.
You looks like a filipina.
God bless you more.
"Do Not Judge", in Matthew 7 is pretty straight forward. But the passage has more than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteYour picture has a tree with rings telling a story of tree age. The sound of "Truth" has a "ring" to it as well, and tells a story.
"FIRST take the plank out of your own eye, and THEN you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye"
~~~Matthew 7:5
This is not a command to 'shut up as you do not know the story'. It is a command of procedure; FIRST...THEN.
If you remove your plank, you see clearly. What is clearly? The TRUTH!
THEN, remove sawdust. WHY? So the other guy sees clearly...MORE truth.
God's desire is truth from all, and for all. His Son is Truth.
Go to Court. Raise your right and and swear to God: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God"? We supply the same answer that (supposedly) seals a marriage: "I do".
But if we are going to tell the truth, why do we need the "whole", and "nothing but" added?
Let us say that a group of boys fills a bag with dog droppings, puts the bag on a porch, rings the bell, and runs away to hide and watch.
The homeowner opens the door, sees a bag of fire, and steps on it repeatedly to douse the flame, only to discover shoes of dog droppings turned to paste on them.
The boys are giggling and the homeowner runs and catches a few.
Questions are asked.
"Did you do it?"
5 boys answer "No", and it is true!
A sixth boy lit the fire.
So you have truth, but NOT the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
The woman of your dreams tries on a hideous dress, she likes it, turns to you, and asks:
"Does this dress make me look fat?"
Your head is thinking "Goodyear Blimp", but your heart tells the "Truth":
"You look gorgeous in anything honey".
"Do you know who lit the bag on the porch?"
Now we get to the WHOLE truth.
All 6 boys answer "Yes".
But the truth has yet to be disclosed, for we do not have an answer to who is at blame.
That requires "Nothing but the truth".
"Which one of you boys set that bag on fire?"
Any one of the boys can identify the perp, for all of them saw him light it. Or, the pyromaniac can identify himself. Either way, you have established "Nothing but the truth".
Amazingly, EVERY court case in the land begins with the same swearing in to seek truth. Immediately, BOTH sides lie through their teeth on every detail. All such statements are planks of the highest order.
Even juries are pre-picked based on wealth of the defendent to sway a verdict, not get at Truth. Justice is denied in this process.
Truth seems a straightforward and easy to comprehend process. But Jesus Christ sets the standard of Truth, and it is all but impossible for us to reach that standard without him.
Dust your furniture and it is perfect. Now turn on the lights above the table, and you "see" a spot you missed and polish it.
Open the drapes and light enters the room. Millions of dust particles float in the sun rays, for you have stirred things up. Gravity is doing its job and many dust particles have settled back where you just polished.
The truth is, what was just polished is dirty anew. That is our world.
And the more light you shine on any object, the more clearly the dust shows up readily.
The Light of the World reflects such perfect and intense light everywhere, that only perfection matches truth. And He alone is both.
We would have no court cases and no one in any jail if the dictum was as simple as "Do Not Judge", for we do that every day in court.
The procedure of shedding more and more light on a case, allows truth to emerge. That is why we need more and more Christ in all of our lives.
Keystone: Full of wisdom here the way you explained "Do not judge" in many ways. I appreciate your visits and comments and I pray that many who come here will see things in a new light to aid us with our walk with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI had written about the "dust" long time ago in my own sort of "monthly bulletin" that I shared with my own family and I wrote how many times, we wiped the dust off on our furnitures, only to return. Very much the same with our sins, though saved, we are still prone to going back to our old habits. That's why we need the constant cleansing that comes from the Lord. I've just seen it in another light when you wrote "and the more light you shine on any object, the more clearly the dust shows up readily". How true!
It's awesome when the Lord brings brothers and sisters in Christ who are so full of His wisdom and I'm so grateful and feel blessed.
Thank you, not only to Keystone but to all of you who come here often and always give me a lift. I appreciate your prayers, love and friendship. God bless you all.
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” - Martin Luther
ReplyDelete