[photo:juiceddesign.net]“Why won’t you guys listen to me? I don’t deserve this! I was the one who got hit and this cop arrested me!” yelled a drunk female arrestee, with buckets of tears freely-flowing down her flushed cheeks.
“Shh…Calm down, Ma’am. I need you to be quiet so I can hear your blood pressure,” I softly commanded.
“No! It’s so unfair!” she continued to yell at the top of her lungs as both of her arms were immobilized by 2 female deputies.
After the machine was not able to get a blood pressure reading, I got 160/100 using the manual cuff.
“Sorry, Officer…I can’t admit her. Her blood pressure is too high and she needs to be examined at the ER,” I informed the arresting cop.
He knew I had been patient with his arrestee. He didn’t say anything for a minute. Then, came a request:
“Ma’am, will you please give me a chance to talk to her and let her calm down a little bit? Please?”…He knew every minute was important for the nurses at the prison. There was no time for that. Either we would okay for their arrestees to stay in the jail or not. Simple as that.
But seeing how agitated this drunk woman was, and having a little bit of quiet time on the male side, I agreed. I heard the cop let out a sigh. Sigh of relief.
Talked to her, he did. But it wasn’t working. She became more agitated, seeing his face and being reminded of her “unfair arrest” [her own opinion]. I intervened…
“Ma’am…do you want to go home sooner?”
“Yes! Because I don’t belong here!” her answer penetrating my ear drums with an uproar.
“Shh...Okay, then. Why don’t you relax and just calm down! They will just wait out until you get sober. If you remain calm and just listen to them, you will be released in a few hours. However, if you choose not to, the longer you are going to stay here!” I replied.
She didn’t say anything. Tears continued to flow. But silence ensued for a few minutes.
“There you go! Why don’t you take a deep breath!” And she obeyed…Sensing she was more relaxed after a few minutes, I rechecked her blood pressure: “140/90”. A more acceptable reading. I grabbed my pen and signed the health screen form so she could be processed. The cop shouted with joy and thanked me for being so patient and giving him another chance.
“You don’t need to thank me. I saw that from the beginning. She needed to just be still and relax,” I told the officer.
So many distractions here in this planet. Distractions that take away our attention and time that should be spent on seeking God. Life is unfair we say, but the reason is not because God does not hear our prayers. It is not because He is so far away. It is because we don’t often pause nor give time to listen to His voice. It is because we don’t seek that place of rest where we can meet Him.
He longs to talk to us. He longs for us to seek Him first. He wants us to put Him as number 1 in our lives. In our hearts. In our minds. But we never see it that way. We are either too distracted or our pride meter is running high…It is time to pause. Time to take a deep breath. Time to be still. Time to know that there is only one God Who loves us first.
Amen sweet sis.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your stories. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAMEN. Just the last few days, GOD has forced me to "be still." Too bad HE often has to force me to slow down. You would think I would "get it."
ReplyDeleteHugs,
andrea
Being still is the key, just like the woman in this story when I'm still and spending time with Him alone, quietly, my focus becomes clear. I feel healthier. Enjoyed the video!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad God give us second chances like you did with the arresting officer and the inmate :) Another good story!
ReplyDeleteHey Rosel!
ReplyDeleteI've kinda been behind with visiting my bloggy friends and wanted to stop by this a.m. and as usual your words and ponderings bless and encourage my heart!
Luv the video! The Lord has been speaking the same thing to my heart so often lately. I believe He's calling each of His own to Divinely prepared special quiet season with Him....a time of encouragement, repurposing, fresh vision and strength for the days that lie ahead. Oh, how my heart longs for His presence!!
Thank you for another great post and reminder!
Luv and Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
HE is the God of 2nd chances! Praise HIM for that....We all need them, don't deserve them but so thankful for being given them! Thanks for sharing today....always such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteA great lesson about stillness here. Thanks for this. As always, a great story.
ReplyDeleteIf we only understood that He wants to be #1 in our lives because He loves us so much and has made us #1 in His Life! That will send us to a mind blowing revelation right there. Be still and know that He loves us and has done all that He has done to make being with us possible through Jesus Christ. He loves us more than we could possible know!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week Rosel!!
Such wise words to live by! Thank you for this great lesson today:-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mary
You have no idea how much this spoke to my heart today. Thank you Rosel. My sister, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThere are times I'm so consumed by stuff. Stuff that I allow to distracted me and take me out of the presence of God.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second confirmation today from God. I must be still!
Your post spoke to my heart...thank you!
I wonder if our environment and surroundings are the major distractions that keep us from being still before the Lord or is it within our heart, mind and soul?
ReplyDeleteWe know It is possible to have peace during the storms of life when we draw close to God.
Being sill before God must be possible in the middle of our fast paced 21st century life styles. But how?
Just a thought.....
Prayerfully Old Geezer that we learn to lay down everything at His feet. It takes discipline. We can meet Him despite the chaos around us. It is finding that Recognizable Voice that we must learn to discern and hear, despite the noises around us. Yes, it is possible in this fast paced world nowadays. We just need to open our hearts and minds, to no one but Him. And our Counselor is always ready to help us out...Thank you friends for your encouragement. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I failed the test of being still today. I was nothing but. Had to repent more than a few times. Regardless, great post Rosel. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad God gives me second chances to be still before him, just like you did that arrestee.
ReplyDeleteI love coming here so much! You have no idea how much you bless me with your stories and how you use your own stories to show me how God works in our every day life.
ReplyDeleteI'm the first to admit I don't listen to God as I should... when I should. I don't know if it's because of my impatience or my pride that stands in my way. Perhaps both, but I see now God uses His children (you) to show us the err of our ways and reminds us to be still and know He is God.
Thanks for sharing this and thank you so much again for your encouraging comments you leave on my blog. You are truly an amazing friend to me! *huge hugs*
God bless you today and every day!
Georgia