Moving The Mountain

I'm linking this post with "In Other Words Tuesday". Please join us at “In Other Words Tuesday” hosted by sister Debbie, where she brought up a great topic about prayer and faith. May you be encouraged and your mustard size faith grow even more! Thank you sister Debbie…

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2 cotton balls, each secured with a piece of clear tape marked 2 spots on the inmate’s right arm. I was aiming for my 3rd attempt to get the needed blood specimen for his lab work.

“You have good veins. For some reason, they roll and they are not giving me the blood,” I sighed. It was not easy for him to be sitting on the plastic chair, as he kept adjusting his right arm, for the veins to be visible for me as I applied the tourniquet. His hands were held together by the metal handcuff, as the unit deputy stood guard by the small Clinic’s door.

He was in for robbery and some other crimes. His face marked with scattered pimples, a kind of breakout resulting from drug habits and familiar to the medical staff. His bilateral arms were colorfully adorned with different kinds of tattoos which even made spotting the veins harder, obscured by the permanent ink.

This was a crucial time for me. Trying not to make this inmate angry with the multiple needle sticks. I needed to make this final blood draw. I needed it to make him remain calm. I needed the specimen because the doctor ordered it for the result to be “stat” [as soon as possible].

Time stood still as I applied the tourniquet once more on his right arm. Asking him to keep pretending his right hand was squeezing a ball, some of the veins became more prominent. I tried not to get excited knowing his veins were tricky. As I opened a small packet of alcohol wipe and rubbed the area I chose, he moved his position and loudly uttered:

“Ma’am, you’re doing okay. You got my veins and sorry if they are not cooperating,” he stated, as he tried to roll his arm to make the area I chose to be more accessible.

“Lord, help me,” I prayed in my mind…”You can get this. Not me….”

The small needle went through a distended vein. A slow flow of red blood returned into the tubing toward a tiny vial marked blue and started collecting. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I told you. You’ll get it!” he added.

As I marked the vial with his name and my initials, he got up and I thanked him and wished him a great day. I felt the victory that came upon getting that tiny sample. But I knew it wasn’t my technique that made it possible to get that specimen. It was the inmate’s faith on me despite the exhausting process at the beginning for both of us. His faith and trust made the difference for that final stick and my silent prayer filled with faith knowing that He could hear me. Anytime. Anywhere.

“Faith does move mountain.” But the mountain should not be our trials, but Jesus… Jesus mentioned about how faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain. Nothing will be impossible to tell the mountain move from here to there as long as we have even this mustard size faith. It seems like the mustard seed faith can accomplish a great feat if we know where to place that faith.

I always place my prayers with faith on God Who is full of compassion, love, grace, and mercy, knowing that through His Mountain, Jesus Christ, can stir Him and make Him intervene in any situation. God’s Mountain always encourages me and gives me the hope, strength, comfort, protection and guidance I need as I walk in different dark valleys. The valleys are the places where my faith grows and where many prayers are constantly being uttered. It’s obvious that when I pray, my fears wane, my worries disappear, or my life’s storms are being calmed down. Prayers laden with faith do change things but the first to change is me. Deep inside…Where doubts do not exist. Where bumps on the road I’m walking on are seen not as hindrances but opportunities for more growth. In times of adversity, faith keeps me strong and helps me be unmoved. No matter what circumstances surround me, faith brings me an inner joy and peace. Because now I know, the Mountain is always there, looking down on me, giving me hope, as It sees me with my own struggles in the valleys. For without hope there is no faith…

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“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” ~ Hebrews 12:22-28 [emphasis mine]...

16 comments:

  1. Glad you had an encouraging inmate to help you along. True, but God is our ultimate to get us through everything. Rosel thank you for sharing. Blessings to you dear one.

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  2. Since I too worked in nursing for many years, I've had those moments where I prayed for God to help me to succeed in finding a good vein. I hated causing pain to any patient as I probed. I love that example of how this inmate had faith in you; you could do it. And you looked to God ...

    I'm so glad that you chose to participate this week on "In Other Words Tuesday". You always add so much to our blogging world as you share your experiences and walk of faith. Thank you!

    Love you sister,
    Debbie

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  3. There are soooooooo many mountains only GOD can move and I praise HIM for still being in the Mountain Moving Business. I am thankful for the faith HE has deeply embedded in our hearts. HE is awesome!

    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

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  4. Wow. Amazing what faith and a little encouragement can do when we feel we can't succeed. Blessings, sister.

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  5. This was a wonderful anology as always...You are soo right of course, He alone REALLY DOES move mountains. Have a wonderul day Rosel. HUGS

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  6. Wow! Thank you for sharing. In times like this its a great reminder to remember HE and HE ALONE does move mountains.

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  7. That was really great reading. Thanks for sharing that, it painted a good picture that will leave a lasting impression.

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  8. Oh, to be unmovable..That's where I want to be. wonderful post! Thank you!

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  9. Rosel,

    Such Anointed words today! I am so very thankful the Lord is author and finisher of our Faith and as we grow in our Faith each day it is HIM that moves the mountains, takes us through the valleys and strengthens us every step of the way! Great post Rosel!

    Love you!

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  10. Isn't it wonderful how the Lord is on call day and night..and nothing is to big or to small for him.I admire your faith and your willingness to share it so freely. ♥

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  11. Unless we direct our prayers to God in faith we may as well be talking to the wall. Without faith it impossible to please Him.

    ~Ron

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  12. Hey Michele...I am so happy to see your photo, I laughed...I wanted to run and hug you. XXXX
    Are you one of those people who gets so excited over things?? I am, and thats how I felt when I saw you!!!
    Reading what you wrote about taking bloods...sometimes they can be tricky..BUT, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you...ALWAYS!!
    You are the very apple of His eye...He loves you and rejoices in you..
    Praise His Holy Name. XXXXXX Crystal Mary

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  13. "The valleys are the places where my faith grows. Where bumps on the road I’m walking on are seen not as hindrances but opportunities for more growth." Wow, how the Lord upside down economy brings light and purpose in our walk here and allows us to grow. My priceless cousin Laura told me that by flipping the view, we see the truth. Awesome prospective sis, because it is in the Lord that we find our strength though the valeys and uneven roads of life. But when our trust and aim is on His loving Word, Will and Way, we see the flip side and find pure true joy.

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  14. Thank you so much Rosel for sharing this with us. May our Lord continue to bless you and your blog ministry. God bless, Lloyd

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  15. Bless you Rose..such a lovely name.I appologise for getting it wrong. A sweet gentle perfume.

    Together with Lloyd may I also add that the Lord continue to bless you and your Blog ministry. Plus I am sure he blesses the inmates with your gentle touch. much love Crystal

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  16. Hi, Rosel:
    Thanks for the boost (or should I say booster?)in faith. I need to see a mountain moved right now. So glad I visited today. Love you!
    Mary

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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