“What is wrong with me?” asked this young female inmate sitting in front of me as she straightened her left arm so I could apply the blood pressure cuff. Her tears in little beads slowly flowed down on each of her cheeks.
“Do you drink heavily?” I queried.
“No!” she loudly denied.
“How about illegal drugs?”
“Mmmm…” Pause….”Only marijuana, Ma’am,” she softly whispered.
I looked again at the prescribed medications started when she first came in to the prison’s Intake. I counted about 5 different kinds, the usual medications given as allowed by our protocol. All for those having alcohol withdrawal symptoms. I was hesitant to give it at first. After she denied heavy alcohol use.
The Intake Nurse who happened to screen her the previous night, fortunately, was working with me that night in the Infirmary. I approached her and asked her if she could recall anything about this crying, young inmate.
“Rcubes,” she responded right away, after seeing her through the glass windows, “She was so wasted when she came in to the prison last night. They brought her first at the hospital and she was shaking.”
“Thanks. That’s all I need to know.”
I gave this crying inmate a handful of pills and a small cup of water.
“Here…These are being given to you because of the symptoms you showed last night. You were heavily intoxicated and were shaking when you got here at the jail,” I explained.
More tears fell…She didn’t refuse. She cupped her right, slightly quivering hand. She knew she drank alcohol. But she denied that. She just turned 21. And the fun of using alcohol made it more legal for that age. Except, she was being succumbed to a deadly habit. Subtly. Taking her like a hostage. Taking her farther away from freedom she once knew.
I watched her slowly traced her heavy steps back to her unit. Her head bent down. Still not sure what was wrong with her. It was her first time in the jail. She tasted the harsh environment. Of being locked up for a few days. To live in a tiny cell with another female unknown to her. Where violence could erupt at any moment.
Another one young life. Being wasted in the process. Alcohol. Drugs. Prostitution. Robbery. Pregnancy. These are the unfamiliar roads she decided to take. These roads that distract someone with a goal in life and entangle them and make them live a life that is empty. Barren. Dry. Unproductive.
As I saw the last bit of her shadow, I could only pray. For her to see the Light in this dark place she was in. For her to get out of that unfamiliar road and be focused toward one goal. Of seeing straight and knowing the only Truth. The only Way. The only Life.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5,6
"Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding." - Proverbs 2:2-6
"Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe." - Proverbs 2:9-11
30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING - 14
8 hours ago
Thanks again for another uplifting post.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance I thought your post title read: "Dont Be Sadistic". Upon closer inspection I saw my error, but after reading it through I think it actually fits.
ReplyDeleteOur self-defeating behaviors are sadistic. Few are as much so as drug/alcohol abuse because, as you say, it takes you hostage so subtly you don't know what happened until you're miles downstream, and beat up to boot!
Thank God this particular lost one had you in the wings praying.
Blessings,
Kathleen
What an opportunity you have as a child of God to plant compassion and kindness into the heart of one that is very lost. God is with you and knows what you have need of..In Him!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Rosel, I thought the same thing as Sassy Granny about "Dont Be Sadistic." Too funny. And I quite agree with what she had to share in her comment as well. Great post dear, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that God uses you to further His Kingdom. I love you.
ReplyDeleteBeefing up my prayers for you Rosel. I can see the wisdom needed with each of your patients. Thank you for caring, just as Jesus would.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mary
great selection of verses. Great post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lyn
Rosel,
ReplyDeletethis post is so warm, so kind, and so tender.
May the love of Jesus continue to touch the young lives there in prison. May this young woman hunger and thirst for Jesus, and the freedom that He gives.
Love
Lidj
Bless you as you continue to share Christ's Love to those who most turn from.
ReplyDeleteMiss you Rosel!
Rosel...Another great post that shows the Love of God that you have within you. God bless, Lloyd
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you work there, you truly are a light to those who don't know our Savior.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that alcohol abuse and other stuff "symbolize" independence, being a man to the pre-21 group? When that has nothing to do with being a man, an adult, or independent at all? I am so glad you were there to pray for her:)
ReplyDeleteHow sad for her. How wonderful that you are there for her and others like her.
ReplyDeleteI Corinthians 6:
ReplyDelete[9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
[11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
[12] All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
[13] Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
[14] And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
[15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
[16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
[17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
[18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body.
[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
[20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Were it not for grace, I can tell you where I'd be -
Wandering down some hopeless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me.
I know how that would go, the battles I would face -
Forever running but losing the race,
Were it not for grace.
I'm thankful that the Lord brought me up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a Sure Foundation, the Rock of the Ages. Praise the Lord that the people you encounter on a daily basis are touched with the love of Christ through you. What a ministry the Lord has given you!
God bless,
~ Heather Joy
http://heathersjoy.wordpress.com/