“I told the deputy when I got here that I needed to see the nurse because I was pregnant. But she didn’t let me,” spoke a young inmate with an upset tone.
She was complaining of spasms on her lower abdomen. I told the unit to send her down to Infirmary so I could test her for pregnancy and determine what was wrong.
“Usually, inmates complaining of lower abdominal pain don’t drink lots of water. So, I’m going to ask you, how much water do you drink?”
“Honestly, since I got here….None!”
“If you’re able to give me a little sample of your urine, I’ll test it for pregnancy and even a simple urinalysis because maybe you’re coming down with UTI [Urinary Tract Infection].”
Only a few drops were visible with the small cup she handed back to me. It was very dark, obviously concentrated urine. Just enough. For pregnancy tests. Being careful not to waste even a drop, I slowly put some on the test strips. Few seconds later, both lines, one red and one blue became visible meaning it was positive for pregnancy.
After taking her vital signs and asking her more about pregnancy history, I set her up to see the doctor that morning. I started her prenatal vitamins and other things she was supposed to have to make sure that she had a follow up care. She was so thankful that I had seen her and did not turn down her request, as it was not really an emergency.
“Drink! Lots and lots of water….Maybe that’s all you need…Water…I‘ll have you be seen by our doctor in just a few hours when he gets here. Okay?”
Smilingly, she replied, “Yes, Ma’am. I will. Thank you.”
When I went back to work that night, I reviewed her chart to see what was done by the doctor. During that sick call, she denied the abdominal pain and actually had told the doctor that she started feeling better after I saw her. There was no further order as I already had initiated all the things that she needed, being pregnant. I felt relieved for her that it turned out to be okay.
Have you encountered those who need help, in distress, because they are pregnant with the sins they bear? For many months, for many years, or all throughout their lives? Have you done enough to let them know that sometimes, all they need is to drink the “Living Water” in order for them to feel better? Have you ignored their pleas for them to see the “Doctor”?
Don’t be afraid to share the Good News. Don’t let that opportunity go if the Lord has brought someone needing salvation to you. Don’t be afraid to share that faith based on truth!
How do you share our faith with those who are very spiritually sick? This is from “Sharing your faith made easy [by Mark Walter]:
From 1 Peter 3:15:
~”Always…” - always means always or at all times. There is no day or time of day when we are off duty as Christians.
~”…be prepared” - means make preparations to help you to share your faith. Reading through a book like this is one way to do this. Become truly familiar with the Bible.
~ “…to give an answer” - means that there are answers to give. You may not know all the answers now. You may never know all the answers. But this does not stop you from finding out some answers when you get stuck. Make use of more experienced Christians. See if one of them can help you.
~ “…to everyone” - means everyone [no omissions, no exceptions]. You can’t be too choosy who you witness to. God may give you many different kinds of people that you should witness to.
~ “…give the reason” - means that the Christian faith is not anti-reason. Oh yes, it is faith, but we have all been given the minds by God. God commands us to love Him with our minds. It brings no credit to Jesus if we give the impression that Christianity is irrational. If that was the case, it would mean that a human mind is superior to God’s mind.
~ “…for the hope you have” - means that we must share the hope and confidence that we have in Jesus as our Savior.
~ “…do this with gentleness and respect” - means that we treat people with a kindly, understanding spirit. We don’t turn people off by our attitude or misdemeanor.
So, keep cool! Remember that it’s possible to win that argument but still lose the battle. May God give us the boldness to share the Good News!
I love this post. This is my favorite of yours that I have read thus far. Thank you for this reminder. In my work, I struggle to know when to share my faith ... so, pretty often I opt not to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me to ALWAYS share it.
God bless and hope your day is great.
Great focus! I fear that all too often I fly through a day, buoyed with joy but oblivious to the lost all around me. It's not reluctance that impedes me, but distractions.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Kathleen
great post as always - I love 'pregnant with the good news.' As a Jew and Christian, I don't speak my faith unless I know the person is ready or asks. I try to live and let others see... and then ask....
ReplyDeleteAnother great lesson for the day. This really gets me thinking...what am I pregnant with? Am I pregnant with sin, or glad tidings? What am I waiting to give birth to? The Word of God must be consumed daily, so it impregnates the heart and spirit, to be shared with the world.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Amen. Glory to God! Wonderful post today.
ReplyDeleteMany times we hold our lips when speaking about His words because we might become unpopular and our actions will not meet their expectations.
I'm praying hard to be bold when opportunity comes and strength to walk my talk.
Regards. Have a wonderful week.
Rosel,
ReplyDeleteWe always need to be prepared each day to share our unique stories of just what having Jesus in our lives did for us and be prepared to lead them to God. It is our chosen destiny from God to share the good news with everyone!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Thanks for this encouragement. May I never get too busy with my own stuff, my own to-do list, that I fail to see those around me who are thirsting (even if they don't know it themselves) for God. May I always rely on His Words to share.
ReplyDelete@ Bro. Ike: "Do I know Him?" I just know "He's my all-in-all..." Thank you for sharing that powerful video.
ReplyDeleteThank you to all of you for coming by and blessing me with your visit/encouragement. God bless.
Rosel, Thank You for sharing your Faith and the Word Of God... Many Blessings my friend, Audrey
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely awesome. Like the backpack illustration you told me you shared with your son, God will give us just the right things to say that will be meaningful at just the right time. Praise His Name!
ReplyDeleteThere is such a great reward in sharing the Good News. It's an adventure, that's for sure! Love you sis!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post, love you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story to share and encourage all of us. May we be pregnant with the purpose of Our Lord and drinking plenty from the living water.
ReplyDeleteJoyfully His,
Sarah Dawn
Beautiful message and analogy. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings, SusanD
ReplyDeleteI love your post and your analogy. It's right to the point. This is one of my most favorite post by you so far. Blessings to you!!
ReplyDeletestopped by to read this again and listen to your soothing music. Hope your day is going great. Sarah
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post. I love how you display the love of Christ in your work!
ReplyDeleteRich blessings to you!
Rosel, Wanted to stop by and say Hi. Hope your day is going well. Blessings... Audrey
ReplyDeletePregnant with sin? I had never had that visual but it really works with the gospel...being forgiven of sins takes a moment of sincere prayer...but birthing those sins out of your body takes the pain of labor.
ReplyDeleteAs usual I loved the post!
I love this.....and God-ronically.......I am starting my day with God's sacred portion of my time and found myself in Isaiah so the opening Scripture was such a blessing as well!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a vessel for God.
Peace~
*~Michelle~*
What a privledge to be able to share Christ in your work dear one. Thank you for an inspiring post. Blessings and hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion but I lose the animation that way. Do you remember what website you found it on?
ReplyDeleteThis was so excellent Rosel! Dispensing the Living water from our own lives into others for their sin ailments is an excellent analogy, in relation to sharing the Gospel, that will stick with me for a long time. I might just use this illustration some day when I teach, if you do not mind. I so love gleaning wisdom from you each time I visit you.
ReplyDeleteChristy