“She’s been here many, many times…”whispered a female arresting officer in dark blue uniform.
“I think she goes through alcohol withdrawals, too.”
I glanced at an alcohol-reeking woman, sitting on the cold cement bench on the female side of Intake. Her head slumped on her chest. There was no tremor but she was so drowsy, it was hard for her to follow any commands.
“Ms. Johnson!” “Wake up!” I shook her left shoulder as I needed her to straighten her left arm for me to start taking her blood pressure.
“How much alcohol did you have tonight?”
“Ms. Johnson! Wake up!!!”
She barely opened her eyes. The lids looking heavy as if it had a ton weight on each.
“One…”she softly murmured.
“One what?” “Ms. Johnson, c’mon!”
“One…”
Her vital signs were normal. I didn’t see any tremors. I had her get up and made her walk a few steps to see if she could walk on her own. She did, still with her eyes closed…
I signed her health screen form and the cop was happy that I had admitted her to be booked.
“She’ll wake up soon…in a few hours…”
And once released…there was always that big chance of seeing her back. She was entangled with a bad habit. How could she wake up when a few drinks would make her want to go for more. Day after day…Night after night…
“Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” – Ephesians 5:10-14 [LAB]
“So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” – Ephesians 5:15-18 [LAB]
-emphasis is mine
Eye opening post>
ReplyDeleteIt is such a snare! As a child my step-father was in bondage to alcohol as was my father. It did not promote peace in our home and brought death to both at an early age...
ReplyDeleteMy father had a problem with drinking. He gave his life to Christ three years before he died. He never drank again after he accepted Christ as his Saviour.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Bren
What a deception alcohol is for a high. If she only knew the high of being free. I haven't forgotten about the transition, my dear friend. I've been praying for ease and the Lord's favor for all of you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mary
With a long history of alcoholism in both my own and my husband's family histories, it came as so surprise that we, too, would be vulnerable. I thank God for the delilverance He granted while in our mid-20s!
ReplyDeleteThe side of any addiction that often goes un-treated is the side dealing with character. A person can quit drinking, or doing drugs, or whatever, but unless the Lord delivers the flawed motives & attitudes (or hurts) that spawned the addiction to begin with, relapse is ever a threat.
Love the way you write!
Kathleen
I pray for deliverance and redemption for people trapped by addiction. Thanks for the work you do.
ReplyDeleteAlcoholism is such a tragedy! It ruins family's, leaving scars that sometimes never heal. Maybe we just need to pray harder. Blessings,Jane
ReplyDeleteBeing a child of an alcoholic I know all too clearly the devastation it leaves on the lives of those who are addicted as well as those who love them. It deceives in so many ways. Lifting up this dear lost soul and asking the Lord to open her eyes and heart to the Truth. May the Truth set her FREE!
ReplyDeleteBless you Rosel ~ your heart for those the Lord brings into your path to intercede for them. Bless you for all you do! Love you
I really like how you share the scripture with real live human situations...it has a big impact. Heavenly blessings Dee
ReplyDeleteRosel, You are such an encourager! Thank you friend...
ReplyDeleteAlcohol is a deceptive drug. I hated it growing up. It only brought misery to my life. When I grew up, I would not allow drinking in my home. I separated myself from anyone who would allow themselves to get out of control.
ReplyDeleteAs I got older I have found there are some people who can drink in moderation. Yet I still hate the stuff.
Good video. A lot of info in a two minute barrier. Thank you Rosel for sharing. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWe really are a broken people (we definitely includes me). Addictions numb out the inner turmoil and pain and, once ensnared, are beyond hard to escape from. I'm so grateful that we have Jesus, our Savior, our Hope.
ReplyDeleteI'm also grateful that you are a light in that prison where you work, His ambassador in the darkness.
It is amazingly sad how the enemy traps people int his web of lies and unless they cry out to Jesus, who is their only hope, their lives usually end in such tragedy. Thank God He is so merciful to continue to send people like you into some of their lives to bring some light into their darkened world.
ReplyDeleteWhat a mission you are on!!