21 years old…You would think that he still had so much in store for his life. But he was there in front of me, complaining of upset stomach and having hallucinations. Running a mild fever, he was starting to have withdrawal symptoms from a heavy, daily use of heroin.
He didn’t tell the Intake Nurse [admitting nurse] his drug use history the day prior when he got booked in the jail. Tired and wanted to be housed immediately, he eluded all the questions by answering “no’s” to all queries.
“Please, help me!” he begged, slightly shaking.
I took his vital signs and initiated the opiate withdrawal protocol we had been using at work. I gave him a small white pill for nausea/vomiting, a pink pill to help him sleep, and 2 white pills to help lower the fever and help him with the pain.
“Thank you, nurse for saving me. Thank you for listening to all of my complaints and for giving me the medications,” he sincerely uttered.
“It’s okay. I hope that the medications will help you and it will be given still for the next 5 days so you don’t have to put a sick call request, not unless you think that the symptoms are getting worse,” I advised.
Picking up his pass from the Clinic deputy, he waved at me and uttered “thank you” again as his steps headed back out to the hallway. He was long gone and I was still hoping and praying for him that those medications would help him be comfortable and praying for the Lord to change that man’s heart.
“Thank You Lord!”, I thought.
“Thank You for listening to my complaints. Thank You that You didn’t get upset even though I sinned heavily. Thank You for giving me another chance. Thank You for saving me! Thank You for healing me and thank You for continuously working in me. Thank You for being there when I called on You.”
How about you?
Are you into drugs?
How about drinking alcohol?
Do you think it’s cool to use it everyday?
Do you know that it’s slowly killing you and messing up the way you think or reason out?
Do you really think that the friends you hang out with and who are doing these things are going to be there when you get in big trouble?
Are they really the kind of “friends” you want to be with? Or are you just pressured because you want to be let in, be accepted, be a part of a group?
God is here. Always near. For all of us. When you’re tired from all of this mess, and you want your life to turn around, call on Him…Get back on the right track. Don’t end up in the jail like that young man I saw. Do it now…while there is time….
“Listen, my child to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.” - Proverbs 1:8.
“My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” - Proverbs 1:10.
“My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.’ - Proverbs 2:1-5.
“For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” - Proverbs 2:6.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5,6.
“Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” - Isaiah 55:6,7.
30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING - 14
8 hours ago
I have a young person in my life at the moment who is lost in this same world. It is sad. I know however, God has called me to listen and to gently guide hearing the pain even when it is silent. Thank you for this post. My prayer is God will gently direct this person into his love that endures forever.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful post. You are totally awesome. Sarah
ReplyDelete@ Robin: I just uttered a prayer for your "young one". And I thanked the Lord that we have this opportunity to do so, even if we don't know each other on a personal lever, we are His children. The spiritual battle is very real and I pray that the Lord will cover you and your family with His protection. Nothing is ever too late when we call on the Lord Who always abundantly pardons. Praying that your "loved one's life" will make a u-turn and head back to the right direction. God bless.
ReplyDelete@ Sarah: Glory be to God Who inspires me always before I post about something. Just this morning, before posting, He added some more verses and took out some unnecessary words. Thank you but it's Him Who is awesome! Thank you for your visits and God bless.
ReplyDelete@ Robin: I meant "personal level" not "lever"...
ReplyDeleteOh, my! This is so powerful! Every one of your posts blesses me and this is not exception.
ReplyDeleteRe my husband, Jim:
Jim was released from the hospital with "no diagnosis" Yikes!! However, when he attended the "1 week follow up" with our family doctor, that doctor (who is young and very proactive) ordered a CT scan and told Jim to bring it right back to him on a disk. After viewing that, he was able to diagnose pleurisy.
Painful but very treatable. 5 days of (as Jim describes) $20/day antibiotics and 3 weeks out, Jim is doing great. He has adjusted his work schedule a bit so as not to be so physcially stressed.
We praise God for the good outcome and could never express our gratitude for the host of prayer lifted to heaven on our behalf:-)
Blessings
Mary
It seems God has placed several people into my life who are in need of being released into the freedom that Christ has to offer. Thank you for your prayer and visiting my blog. Please check out the prayer blog located on the left hand side...a prayer blogging network has begun. Yesterday, a man by the name of George entered my life...he is what I like to call an angel sent from God. In reality he was an extremely poor man who was traveling home to Quebec. I am not sure how to write about him yet, but I am sure something will transpire. Please pray this elderly man will get home before fall.
ReplyDeleteHi my dear friend,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post today! I love all of your comforting Scriptures - I cling to all of the ones that you chose! Stepping aside for one minute always opens us up to vulnerability. I pray that your words have touched hearts that need to hear your message today -
I hope your work week is light and that you find rest and comfort from the wonderful God that we serve!
((Hugs))
Kymber
As always, I love the way you use your experiences to walk out the Word of God. (((((hugs)))))
ReplyDeleteBeth
Rosel,
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me at the unique and different situations the enemy brings and yet God allows you to work directly with that individual. You are doing more than offering a kind word and medications, little do these poor souls know the kind of healing you are asking for through God's divine intervention in their lives.
You have touched so many lives Rosel. I can't wait for God to show you where all those people ended up because of the kindness you showed them when you met them at their lowest point.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Thank you, Rosel, for being there for this young man, your prayers and your hands with the gift of healing. Please pray for a man by the name of Robin who needs to be brought back to life in Christ. We are burdened. Love you and your ministry to the lost.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Mary
Thanks for using your life experiences to honor God, love you.
ReplyDeleteRosel,
ReplyDeleteHow do we get this message to penetrate the hearts of those who are addicted? My husband's best friend's son has been in and out of rehab and jail for years. He is now about 27 years old and still on drugs. He has been given every opportunity to change. His name is Aaron if you would add him to your prayer list. His father died recently and we hoped that would get his attention, but that didn't seem to affect him. I walked outside to find him smoking pot on the steps of the funeral home. Thank you for your prayers for this young man. There are many who have been and continue to pray for him, but your prayers maybe be even more specific b/c of your job. I pray GOD will do whatever it takes to get his attention before he kills himself or someone else. He now has two small children who are being exposed to this horrid behavior.
Andrea
Rosel,
ReplyDeleteI love how the Lord allows you these opportunities and how you lovingly and obediently with compassion serve each and everyone of them. It seems as though many are in need...believers and non-believers~ it is just heavy right now.
I have had you in my prayers strongly lately because the Lord continues to lay you on my heart....not sure if its the warfare you are facing or just that you need the added strength but the Lord knows and is washing over you! Love you Rosel and thankyou for the prayers for my Dad and for each and everyone here that I know you are faithful to pray for! Your crown will be HUGE :)
I just adore you
This is too good that I hope that more and more people, especially young people can read this.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Rcubes.
Very good. We can never allow anything other substance to try to take the place of the life, peace, hope and comfort that only salvation in Christ can offer. I grieve for young people when I see them starting down that road of substance use and abuse. I know the road they have ahead of them!! But it is so hard to steer them away. Hopefully somewhere along the path they will find the off ramp to where there is real joy and life!
ReplyDeleteThe power of redemption, the blood shed to set us free. Sweet one, God is using your hands to bring His life.
ReplyDeleteGod is writing a new song on my heart. Thanks for singing with me today.
May the song of our lives, be to the tune of your heart, Our Lord.
Listening to His song,
Sarah Dawn
Great post. And that video illustration is perfect. I wonder: How often do I miss Him when He's standing right in front of me?
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, that young man saw God's love reflected in you. That video is the 2nd post I have read recently about the Lord being near to us and our not knowing it! Looking for the 3rd one soon ~
ReplyDeleteIncredibly touching post - what a ministry you have in jail. Your kindness is giving these people a glimpse of God's love. I am in awe of you....
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kelly
Encouraging to know that God is near! Thank you. ♥
ReplyDeleteRosel, that video at the end of your post was such a good ending to what you had written. It really made your point so well. It was just great! God is always so near that we sometimes miss Him looking for Him far away. What a thought provoking concept.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Christy