A Simple Act of Love [The $10 Challenge]

“Oh, no! I had already given the insulin,” blurted the LVN to the charge nurse.

The LVN’s just got done checking the sugar levels of the female diabetics. Except on the weekends, their chow [any meal; at that time, it was breakfast] usually would come late.

There was a particular order from the prison’s doctor not to give this one female’s insulin as it usually worked within minutes after being given. A potentially risky dose if that inmate had no food available yet. Assuming that the chow cart was on its way to her unit, the LVN went ahead and gave her morning insulin dose.

Helping the LVN’s with accuchecks on weekends that I worked, I got more familiar with each inmate on the female side. I knew that even Graham crackers would not be enough to maintain the sugar level in that particular inmate.

“She’d be alright,” one LVN uttered.

“No,” I firmly stated. “I know her. She is always our mandown even if you give her Graham crackers.”

My co-workers echoed a voice in unison: one that is not of concern. Looking at the clock on one side of the wall, they were sure that breakfast would arrive in her unit.

Except for me. I knew it wasn’t okay. Even if the chow cart arrived, it would still take a few minutes before it could be given to her. For there were so many inmates housed in one particular segment.

I had a few one dollar bills and one $10 bill tucked under my badge and ID usually concealed in my right pocket. This was meant for my morning “mocha” that always kept me awake with my long drive from work to home.

Except…I couldn’t use that available money to give to this inmate. That would be against the prison’s policy. And there was no way for her to be able to use money to buy anything to eat. They are not allowed to carry any money. They usually have funds in their accounts.

“Call her back!” I commanded the LVN who gave the insulin a little early. To the amazement of others who just didn’t want to deal with it. Except for the charge nurse who glanced at me and softly nodded in agreement. I went to our refrigerator and tried to find a "diabetic snack" tucked in one of the shelves.

Half-way from the hall, the inmate made a u-turn and headed back to the Clinic. When she arrived, I explained that I wanted to give her something to eat so that her sugar level would not bottom out even if the chow cart came late in her unit. I saw a sigh of relief. Her worn-down look managed to paint a wry smile.

I warmed up some slices of white bread and a packet of peanut butter. The bag also had an orange and a small carton of milk. I gave everything to her. She kept thanking me.

I felt good. Not for myself. But I felt good for Him. The One Who fed me when I was hungry. The One Who gave me the Living Water when I was thirsty. The One Who gave me eternal life when I was already dead.

This is what the $10 challenge is about. As Christians, we must not retreat from this secular world and associate only with Christians. We feel like retreating from all the immorality, or the violence, or evil that surround us. There is nothing wrong with that. Except we must realize that Jesus prayed for us not to be taken “out of this world” but that we would be protected from the evil one while ministering to others in this world. We need to allow our light to shine before others. We need to reflect the Light. We need to let our salt give flavor to those who surround us.

Jesus came to make God’s Name and love be known. He wanted us to know that we are loved and that God wanted to fill us with His love.

Jesus said we are His glory [John 17:10]. And God’s glory means the revelation of His character and presence.

So, whether you have a $10 bill or not, I’m sure the Lord will guide you where you can shine your light. And if one small light can be seen against the darkness, can you imagine if there are many, many lights glowing in this dark world? All because of that $10 or a simple act of unconditional love and kindness. To God be the glory!

Please head over to Brother Billy to read more about this challenge or even to join in.

Snitcher!!!

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:20
　
Dried blood oozed from the left side of his forehead. As a large amount of it was visible on a white washcloth he used to put pressure on that wound with his slightly, trembling hand.

As I cleansed the wound, I already knew it needed to be sutured. Having no doctor in the facility during the night, he needed to be brought by the deputy to the county’s ER. I applied a clean gauze to keep the pressure on and to keep the wound dry and clean.

He didn’t remember much. He just remembered waking up, as a couple of deputies were assisting him to rise up from the cold floor where he had fallen. He complained of slight dizziness. His crime was committing an injury to his spouse.

Inside the prison, despite being violators of varying kinds of crimes, some inmates just don’t like those who commit abuses: physical abuse and sexual abuse, especially with children. They are ready to hit those offenders [if known], even to the point of killing them.

The jail’s classification system always try their best to put inmates into those housing where there would be lesser complications with other cellies [cell mates]. But sometimes, no matter how careful they are, there would always be someone who will find out and then, tell others. They are known as “snitchers”.


[photo credit: dlibrary.acu.edu.ac]


There were 3 religious societies of Judaism in Jesus’ times: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. The Pharisees were often the most influential and vocal among them.

The name “Pharisee” in Hebrew means separatists, or separated ones. They were known as chasidim, meaning loyal to God or loved of God. But the irony of it…they made themselves the most bitter, and deadly opponents of Jesus Christ and His message.

The Pharisees, perhaps, meant to obey God, but eventually they became so devoted and extremist in very limited parts of the Law [plus whatever they added to it]. Doing so, they became blind to the Messiah when Jesus was in their very midst. They saw His miracles, they heard His Words. But instead of receiving it with joy, they did all they could do to stop him.

To the point of killing Jesus because He truthfully claimed to be the Son of God. They were the snitchers in Jesus’ time!

Self-righteousness is not righteousness. God’s true people are to live according to His Word, not just to a certain part that is convenient or to one’s own liking.
　
"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few his precepts!O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments."~Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1757