“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ ~ Matthew 25:37-40
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I opened one of the exam rooms immediately and thought of applying a tourniquet right away even before assessing the wound. 2 LVN's came rushing to help me prepare some gauzes and other things I needed. It felt like we were doing an emergency surgery. And I was the one leading this procedure.
"Lord, help me and guide me..." I softly prayed.
Trying to be calm, I motioned the inmate and had him sit on a chair close to a table where it was already prepared with materials I needed. Explaining everything as my hands started working, I made a make-shift tourniquet out of one of the "stockinette dressings" [a tubular kind of dressing] and made a knot close to the base of his finger.
"Just keep your hand higher," I instructed. After loosening, tightening for several minutes, the bleeding finally stopped and I cleaned the small wound and put special tape that will hold the small laceration together. Applying pressure still, I applied a small dab of antibiotic and covered it with a gauze and some type of pressure tape.
When I got done, I had him get up and wash his hands smeared with his dried up blood. Having an ordinary conversation as if he wasn't even an inmate, he thanked me and uttered a "Good night." The whole night passed by and he never complained. So, the bleeding must have stopped completely by then.
"Thank You Lord," I uttered myself as I thanked the LVN's who came to my rescue immediately without being told.
"You help us, too Rcubes. That's okay," they replied with a smile.
Just one of ordinary moments we do as medical staff inside the prison. This is a dark and evil place where a lot of unexpected things occur. Riots may burst any second. Inmates may fall and sustain different kinds of injuries. Some suicidal ones intentionally hurt themselves.
The first time I started working here and had gone a tremendous change from being an Orthopedic Nurse to a Correctional Nurse, I thought, "God, why are You putting so much pressure on me?"
As I slowly became involved with seeing and treating these inmates, the answer came clearly through those encounters. If I want to be a faithful and obedient disciple for Him, I don't have an option to neglect helping out these inmates, who are both physically sick , much more with their spiritual conditions.
Yes, thousands of them behind bars are making my heart bleed each day that I am there to work. And my heart bleeds as God does put pressure on it, not to make it stop bleeding, but to continue to spill the compassion, kindness, mercy, love and grace He poured into my heart.
Yes, Lord Jesus, May I always be compassionate and merciful like You. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy on me! There is none like You, Oh Lord, full of love, mercy, and grace. I love You Lord.
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU
(CHORUS):
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU
NO ONE ELSE CAN TOUCH MY HEART LIKE YOU DO
I COULD SEARCH FOR ALL ETERNITY LONG, AND FIND THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU(x2)
YOUR MERCY FLOWS LIKE A RIVER WIDE
AND HEALING COMES FROM
YOUR HANDS
SUFFERING CHILDREN ARE SAFE IN YOUR ARMS
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU
I COULD SEARCH FOR ALL ETERNITY LONG AND FIND
THERE IS NONE
THERE IS NONE
THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU
Praying for you as you continue to be HIS willing servant in the prison system. GOD BLESS you, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
andrea
BTW: I awoke to snow this morning.
May God continue to give you a calm when caring for those many have forgotten.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely LOVE this song
ReplyDeleteI was watching one of those correctional type programs with my husband recently. They were at Tehachaipi.My heart too hurts for all of the inmates. I am not sure if all really benefit from the time spent in Prison. Thank God for Christian employee's and nurses like you...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful song to start off with. Rosel, you are a willing vessel to do God’s work no matter. He has put you in a place that not many would venture in. He has made you for just a time like this.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an amazing gift to the Kingdom Rosel.
ReplyDeleteTwo words you wrote that is required of all of us:
Faithful
Obedience
And how often we, or perhaps I'll speak for myself..how often I fail Him sadly but I get back in step with His Spirit quickly.
I love that song so thank you for sharing!
I also rec'd your comment and I'm praying for you. I've been there with the hurtful, ugly dart of the enemy against friendship. Keep a soft heart open to the leading of the Lord as I know you are. May His comfort wash over you.
Love you.
Sis. Rosel, I was looking for a way to reach you via Email. Can you email me when you get a chance. My Email is lisashawcares(at).cfl.rr.(com)
ReplyDeleteLove ya!
Thanks friend for standing with me. The mountain is moved!
ReplyDeleteAlways a joy to splash around with you friend.
Also wanted to invite you to a to a water buffalo party for India. No formal wear required, just stop by and visit
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2010/12/all-i-want-for.html
Be blessed bunches,
Sarah
Thanks Rosel.
ReplyDeleteYou are a light in a dark place.. and it's true, we need God's help in every small act or work. For without Him, we are nothing.
Blessings,
Silver
love this song too...really love it. The words...my heartsong. Thanks Rosel...thanks for being you...☺
ReplyDeleteBless you Rosel! Your journey always blesses and encourages my heart so.
ReplyDeleteAnd this song is one of my all time favorites!!
Love, Hugs and Merry Christmas!
Jackie
You are such an encourager - I want to say cheerleader - when you wrote, "And my heart bleeds as God does put pressure on it, not to make it stop bleeding, but to continue to spill the compassion, kindness, mercy, love and grace He poured into my heart" - oh, yes, please God, let your pressure spill compassion, kindness, mercy, love and grace from me onto my sons and people you place in my path!
ReplyDeleteYour posts are like a vitamin b12 shot to my spirit! Thank you Rosel!