“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” – Isaiah 5:20 (NLT)
Looking through the inmates’ eyes as they tell me “God bless you!” I am always careful when to respond back or not. Someone can sense the sincerity or lack of it if certain words are spoken.
Working for 12 years now in a correctional setting, I used to pass medications in a particular facility for almost a year. There, I learned through inmates what their “lingo” meant.
“Be careful, Nurse Rcubes,” warned one long ago.
“Others who tell you ‘God bless you’ doesn’t mean it is what they hope for you…They will say that with you thinking how respectful of them to you...but the meaning was the opposite...So,they won't get in trouble..."
“What do you mean?” I probed after he downed the prescribed pills I handed to his open right palm and as he quickly took a sip of water from his small, brown cup, he tried to explain…
“Well, it can also mean that they are cursing you by saying that…”
“Ahhh…Okay…I got it. Thanks!”
“Look who’s here!” exclaimed one from the back of the line as everyone slowly got up at the wee hours of the morning to get their pills from me.
“It’s the pusher!” he joked around.
I kept giving the medications to those ahead of him until it was him who was in front of me.
“What did you say about me?”
“I was just joking, Ma’am.”
“Well, I don’t appreciate it. I’m not a ‘pusher’. I want you to know that I am doing an important job of giving prescribed medications to all those who need it. Including you. There was nothing funny about what you said.”
He smirked. Got his pills. Thanked me. And said….
“God bless you…”
I kept silent. He didn’t expect that. As one tall man behind him with closed fists whispered to his neck, “You better apologize to this nurse.” He turned around, ready to fight back. Only to find out that he was facing a giant. A lot bigger than him. He cowered and apologized immediately. My protector was one of the long-time incarcerated male who happened to have a heart problem. I made sure that he always got his pills on time and before they would run out, I made sure the doctor already had reordered them. Expected role I needed to accomplish. But a big thing to him who was in need and learned to appreciate that.
Good and evil simply don’t mix. God is holy and righteous…
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.” – Luke 11:24 (NIV)
“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.” – Luke 11:35 (NIV)
“You have wearied the LORD with your words. "How have we wearied him?" you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the LORD's sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, "Where is the God of justice?" – Malachi 2:17 (NLT)
Amen, bless you my friend.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the time you take to write your stories from prison. Never realized that someone telling you God Bless You could actually be intended as a curse... goodness gracious...
ReplyDeleteWell, you got good preparation, and as for your defender, I sense he has a soft heart. Prayed for him as I finished reading your post.
Also the youtube video Today is a good reminder for me to kneel down and lift my whole family up to God.
Blessings on your weekend dear kababayan.
We were safe during the recent earthquake, but it was scary. Now earthquakes are upon us as well... it really is a sign of the endtimes. Soon the end will come, and our experiences are meant to draw us closer to Him.
Love
Lidia
Every time I read your posts, I can't help but think of how incredible God is to have people like you who are blessing those that many would say don't deserve it. Incredible :) God Bless...and I really mean it! lol
ReplyDeleteYour blog is always an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteRosel, you are such a blessing to the people that God puts in your path. The talent He has given you to be able to write your experiences from your heart is amazing. Blessings to you dear one.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to be flippant & careless with words, isn't it? I think I do it myself sometimes, though I hope I never use "God bless you" as a manipulation like this guy did. Just today a young boy, maybe 10, came to the door with another boy asking for canned goods for the local food bank. He was so polite, well-spoken & sincere. I quickly grabbed a few items for him, and then said "God bless you". I meant it. He look into my face with the dearest of expressions and returned the sentiment. I think we both got a blessing!
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about this is that it shows the wisdom of God - that He is not a fool. That while He can be a loving, caring Father, He is also a warrior who seeks retribution. I think too many people see God as a cartoon image they can smirk about - there is something about the giant man who went to war for you that shows God is so much wiser than we can ever be!
ReplyDeleteYour stories always make me see God's wisdom so clearly - and I always leave awed by His mightiness!
People can be all too flippant with words like these. Thank you for sharing about this one. I love that you have a reputation in your workplace. You are a woman of God, doing important Kingdom work even if you don't get to see all the results. You never know when you've truly touched another soul. Watering of souls is needed. Loved the video.
ReplyDeleteblessings and love,
Debbie