Cut the Unnecessary



“Nurse Rcubes, what are you doing here? Why don’t you just rest and sleep there [unit 15]?,” asked the medical secretary.

I was scheduled to be the nurse in a unit [15] that housed inmates with special medical and mental health needs. On a Saturday night, it was typically quiet and there were not many things to do as no one would be going to court on Sunday mornings. The day medications were usually given by the day shift nurse. Pulling the meds was not necessary anymore as our facility has a million-dollar worth machine that pulls all the inmates’ meds in a shorter span of time than by doing it manually by the LVN’s or medication nurses.

If there was anything to be done, it was only to take a history if there was any admission from the prison’s Intake or if there were any discharges in the middle of the night, to make sure that if inmates have a mental health problem, that there would be a designated person to pick them up, either from their own family members or a board and care type of facility.

After preparing the treatments scheduled for the day shift nurse, there was nothing to do anymore. I cleaned up the station. But still, I had 7 hours remaining. I knew a lot of nurses who just slept during that time. But not me…

I don’t like to sit around nor waste time. And I am grateful for this job that the Lord had given me. I called the charge nurse and asked for her permission if I could go over the Infirmary and help them out. She was thankful because it was busy with some doctor’s orders remaining in our bins.

When I walked into the door, that was when that secretary asked me that question.

But I felt good doing so. Knowing that I wasn’t pleasing anyone but Someone Who doesn’t sleep Himself. The night was young but it felt good to be productive and be able to be of help with my co-workers.

The Lord truly is the only One Who can change our hearts. And I am still a big work in that department. But I know that I can never repay what He did for me. Serving Him is the least that I can do.

If there are areas in my life that are not necessary, I want to cut them and be done with them. They just slow me down with the way I serve the Lord. I know I still have much to learn but I pray that the Lord will prune whatever is not pleasing Him, one by one. And that I would remain alert at all times, to not let anything choke my growth in Him.

Pruning is not a pleasant process but doing so, makes my Christian walk to flourish. Thanks be to God for His Word that is sharp that can remove the unwanted branches in my life.

John 15:1-2 - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

John 15:4 - “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.”

John 15:5-8 - “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined with me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings glory to my Father.”

Apart from Christ, our efforts are unfruitful…


12 comments:

  1. OH my sweet Rosel. I have areas that need pruning. I just posted about an "ah ha" moment about little lies/fears that still linger in my thoughts. Argh.

    Bless you!
    Beth

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  2. You are such an example to those who work around you! I try to instill in my kids this very thing....it doesn't matter what others think or do. It only matters what the LORD thinks

    Thankyou Rosel for being that example !!! Even though my kids won't see you I know there are others who do!!

    Love you my friend

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  3. Amen....leading people to the Lord by living the example.

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  4. Wow, what a good example you are of a faithful servant! I love that..."the God who doesn't sleep"...

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  5. Rosel, You are such a good example for others. You work so hard... I think about you a lot and your job. I am always praying for you and your safety. You can never have to many prayers.

    Hope you are having a great day. Oh I saw your pic above (the grape vine)... What type of wine are we making? Hee-Hee. Love you. Audrey

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  6. You are an awesome woman of God. Thank you for the example you set at work.

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  7. Bless you for being such a great servant of the Lord. I love you sis.

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  8. "Apart from Christ, our efforts are unfruitful…"
    Wow! What a way to end this post! You always seem to know how to bring it on home Rosel!! Excellent post once again! :)

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  9. My life is a daily pruning experience. Some days painful than others. Rosel, super post!! Without Christ, we certainly CANNOT do anything! Blessings and hugs to you dear one....

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  10. Oh I just love the pruning image that you share...it's comparable to when we have trials in our lives and we must go through the sometimes painful process of removing the "cancerous growth" so that we may begin to heal and be whole again.

    You are such a special person....I just needed to tell you that again today.

    Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

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  11. I have just discovered your blog, and want you to know that your stories of prison life and the relationship you build with those around you is so encouraging.

    This particular post on pruning is such a timely one to me. Yes, each day there are things that can be cut out, pruned, or even activities that can be done away with. It is the season to get back to basics, clear the clutter, remover the non essentials in our life.

    Even in the words we speak, or the thoughts we entertain in our minds...

    Blessings, dear friend.

    Love
    Lidj

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  12. Who knows what condition our families, churches and country would be in if we would practice this perspective - serving. We do all in the name of Jesus Christ, any service or work. Remembering that helps me to work better, harder, more faithfully. YOu illustrate that with you story. Good post, thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!

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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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