“So, why do you do all these things if you are sending my arrestee for prejail check anyway?” queried an upset cop whose arrestee I didn’t want to accept to be booked in the jail yet because of obvious symptoms that he was “tweaking” from a daily dose of methamphetamine use.
His eyes were rolling upwards. Then, he would gaze at a blank space. Sometimes, able to answer my questions. Most of the time, he acted as if he was in his own world. I was taking his blood pressure which registered high, same with the pulse and he was running a low-grade fever. I told our Intake deputies that I wouldn’t admit him not until he was examined first in an ER. That was when the arresting cop heard me and got upset. Upset because of the impending hassle that he needed to take him to an ER and just couldn’t leave his arrestee.
I looked at the cop eye to eye. And with a soft answer, instead of being upset with him [as they knew the protocol of the booking process in the jail, that everyone gets screened first and cleared by nurses], I replied, “Sir, I took his vital signs so at least you could have a little information for whoever would treat this man that his blood pressure and pulse were high and that he was running a low grade fever. Those info’s would help them.”
He didn’t say anything and put the handcuffs back to the man’s wrists and put him in the back of his squad car. An hour or so later, the man was back. Calm but I had a feeling that he would still continue to show some signs of psychotic behavior. He was placed with other drunk bodies in a cell, all of them waiting to get sobered up. Few minutes later, some of them woke up, including this weird-acting man. He started a fight and he got pepper-sprayed on his face.
After being isolated, he started yelling profanities and started banging hard on the glass windows. I was on a break at that time and the deputies got a permission from the charge nurse to put this man on a safety chair, where he was restrained, to keep him from injuring himself. He couldn’t hit any windows or metal doors then. But the loud yelling continued. Any arriving cops couldn’t help but peeked through the window to see him as he attracted some attention.
Coming back from my break, the charge nurse told me what happened. So, I had to go and check up on him to make sure he was okay health-wise. As soon as I approached the big glass window, he stopped yelling. Instead, he looked at me like a lion waiting to pounce on a prey. He started mumbling instead. I softly mumbled too. With a prayer commanding for him to stop yelling and trying to scare me in Jesus’ Holy Name. He did stop. But every time I walked away, that was when he would continue to be so loud and screaming profanities at the top of his lungs. Every time I would go near him, he would stop and just stared at me with a piercing stare!
I was grateful for the unseen protective covering on me. The Armor of God that brings victory in this invisible war I was in. Every time. I knew he got quiet because it wasn’t me he was dealing with. I knew he saw the BELT OF TRUTH, THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE SANDALS OF PEACE, THE SHIELD OF FAITH, THE HELMET OF SALVATION and he heard when I uttered the sWORD, which was God’s Word. He was facing Christ.
I wasn’t alone in this invisible war. You were in it, too. The moment you gave your life to Christ. Let us be careful that we do not expose any part and make it vulnerable to the enemies’ attacks.
"3Buckle on your armor and advance into battle! 4 Harness the horses, and prepare to mount them. Put on your helmets, sharpen your spears, and prepare your armor" - Jeremiah 46:3-4.
Addendum: I was originally going to post this video "The Battle Belongs To The Lord" but being so tired from last night's work and sensing that it would make my post too long for you to read, I didn't. But after reading sister Charlotte's comment [thank you sister], I had a nudging that the Lord wants me to include this video. For whoever out there is facing a tough time in any kind of trial, the Lord wants to remind us that we can give all of our cares to Him. For the battle belongs to Him! Glory to God! Please silence my playlist on the side bar:
Rosel ~ You are sooo right about Spiritual Sundays! It truly is the best place to be full of Believers and Love, Encouragement and anointed posts such as this! Thank you my dear dear friend for always sharing the Love of Christ with us and also teaching us with every single post!
ReplyDeleteI am sooo thankful for the Armor, for the Angels that are with us and for the Holy Spirit who is with us and mostly for the Lord who is protecting us every single day!
I love you so my friend!
With a job like yours, you really need to put on the full armour of God! I know that your calm prescence and gentle spirit are helping the prisoners. God bless you in your ministry. Have a blessed Spiritual Sunday.
ReplyDeleteRosel,
ReplyDeleteIts the daily battle we all enter into each and every day. The enemy is always on the look out for us to grow lazy and leave one of those key elements missing so he can launch the attack against us. We must remember that every day we step out as warriors for God and it's the souls of the unbelievers that are up for grabs. We need to make sure we are prepared at all times.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I am so grateful for God's armor...every piece of it. Indeed, Christ is seen in our place, love that! Happy weekend, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteWe are in a battle...and thankfully He's with us...and stronger than anything. I read this...and it made me sad...sad that life is so difficult for some..sad b/c that man started out a little boy with hopes and dreams but something happened to him....abuse? violence? abandonment? Someone taught him he didn't matter. I'm glad you are where you are...a light shining in the darkness and I'm glad He's right there with you...protecting you...shielding you...keep in you safe. Sarah
ReplyDeleteThe battle belongs to the Lord. That was my first thought after reading your post. The things you share each week always are an encouragement to me. Thank you for being a part of our group.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
Not everyone is so finely tuned into the unseen battle raging around them/us. I applaud your discernment, and the Lord's protection in such times.
ReplyDeleteYou could write a book about these incredible experiences!
Kathleen
I thank the Lord for His armour! I am so thankful that He has His eye on you and His protection covers you wherever you go. You are being used mightily in this place. Thank you for sharing. It makes us all appreciate what an important job you do.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
I'm thinking like Sassy Granny - you could write a book!
ReplyDeletePraising God for your protection.
RCubes, thank you for this ... reminding me that our battle is not against flesh and blood ... and, that we are not alone in the battle. Amen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post....Made me think about a lot of things...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the work you do. God has placed you as a light in a very dark place. He is your Jehovah Sabaoth, Captain of Angel Armies!
ReplyDeleteWow. This is so powerful. We all need to put on the armor of God, but definitely you need extra armor with all you deal with. Thank you for sharing this....God bless.
ReplyDeleteI know that you are such a bright light in that dark place. Thank you for being such an awesome ambassador for Christ.
ReplyDeleteIn a place where you work the Lords Armor must always be there. Each week I look forward to your post,wondering how the Lord was with you during the week.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you,
Ginger
WOW...this post gave me chills. There is a VERY real spiritual battle that goes on all the time every day rather we know it or not. Working in this place makes your exposure to this war very visible and real. I am soo grateful for what you do. Who knows whose life might be touched by Him as a result? We all really must be prepared. It is the first prayer I utter in the morning before my feel hit the floor for the day. That He might give me the strength and protection for the battle. Thanks for all this. Blessings, Debbie
ReplyDeleteIt's so inspiring to read this post and know that God was working on your behalf. That His righteousness protects your heart, that faith in His faithfulness shields you, that His salvation covers your mind and His Truth what you create from, His gospel is what speeds you forward and His word provides you with a weapon. It's fascinating how God's presence in you shut this man's mouth. My prayers are with you as God continues to use you in that place.
ReplyDeleteHey Rosel! Great post! Thank you for reminding me that we are fighting an invisible war. God has given us the perfect armor, but if I'm to busy or to lazy to put it on.... I become so vulnerable. God bless you for all the work you do on this blog and at the prison. I love that picture of Jesus holding the child on your sidebar!
ReplyDeletePrecious Sister,
ReplyDeleteI've stopped by a couple of times just to read. You always fill me up here and so many others. The video is awesome just as our God truly is...love this so much and you my friend.
Big Hugs,
Alleluiabelle
Though not there, I could see what was happening as if I were there and feel the darkness you were in the midst of. I know you come across many dark situations, but this one hit me as being even darker. It stirs me to be praying for you. That is part of the beauty of the Lord, He moves His people. Sweet blessings upon you as you journey on. ~
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to be a warrior in God's army sis.
ReplyDeleteGod is using you in places that you probably never dreamed about dear one. Thank you for the post and video. Blessings to you Rosel.
ReplyDeleteYou are one brave woman - and you handle those challenges with such confidence - I realize that confidence comes from God, too. I am going to print this off and put it on my bathroom mirror for the week! In order to better face my teen challenges.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your post, I realize that God was calming him, but I think his spirit man recognized the Spirit of God within you. And a part of him that he kept under his feet (the man in prison) so despartely needed that like a cool clothe to one with a fever. However, they just do not know what it is - and that scares them.
I really do think you need to publish a book, so I could buy one:)
You need God's full armor don't you? Yet your kindness toward that inmate says so much about yiur love for Christ. I am so grateful that you shared this with e today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRosel, I'm with you about Spiritual Sundays! I love posting and going to other blogs to read and comment on their posts. Actually, it was through SS how you and I "met" and it's been a blessing to me ever since!
ReplyDeleteI swear, when you write, it's like I'm right there witnessing it all. You have such a way with writing, but I gotta tell you... when you began talking about using the tools of armor that God gives to each of His believers, I smiled the biggest smile and began praising God and His Holy name! Amen for our Armor God has given us, huh?
Thank you so much for sharing this with us today, but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for always leaving me some of the most encouraging comments. I appreciate you so very much, for me, but most especially for how you've taken Amber under your wing and have fed her encouraging words as well. Again, thank you!
I pray you are doing well today. May God richly bless you, my sweet friend! *huge hugs*
ohhhh Blessings sweet sister Rosel...what a great video of "The battle Belongs to the Lord" and such a great testimony of how it truly does and how we need that full armor and praise God, you were of sound mind to have it on and pray before entering the battleground! Such Godly wisdom!
ReplyDeleteI truly love the way you capture each part so vividly and I was shouting, "Glory...
Hallelujah when you spoke of the unseen covering and the sword that is mightier! I imagine you need this daily as we each do but in a real way! I heard the song of Whidbey woman once more from the Lorica of St. Pat...
Christ beside you, Christ before you, Christ within you, etc. my favorite part!!! But as the video opened on the Horsemen... I shouted once more...so glad you shared! Hope you get rested before you join forces with Christ again and showing His love to the captives!
man oh man! It's crazy how the demons living in people can immediately tell who we belong to! I had a similar experience many months ago. God is so good in protecting us in Jesus name! Awesome testimony of God's amazing power over evil!
ReplyDeleteHi Rosel,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good post on the evil that surrounds us every day. You are toe to toe and face to face with it all the time. I am so thankful that we can put on the full armor of God when we face our enemies. Great post!
Blessings,
Jean
You were in hand to hand combat with the Devil. So glad to be hidden in Christ's armor at these times.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amen! The battle does belong to the Lord !
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Myrna