What A Waste!

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In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1:1 (NLT)

The Thanksgiving atmosphere was almost fading away when a fight broke out in a particular unit as our change of shift also was coming to its end. Two of us ran when the unit asked for the medical help as multiple inmates were involved.

Upon arriving at the unit, we saw a line of cuffed inmates sitting in a row of plastic chair while a deputy was patiently keeping an eye on the one severely injured, sitting inside the tiny Clinic in their unit. The other nurse immediately assessed the deep gash on his forehead and tried to check the bleeding. As I jotted down the vital information, I left her. Her gaze followed, perhaps, wondering if I just left her like that.

“Are all of those sitting needed to be seen?” asked my co-worker, the tone of voice seeming to reach wherever I went and to give me a clue that work was not done.

“Oh…they’re all done,” answered the deputies.

“The other nurse already assessed them,” they added.

I wanted our time to be brief, addressing only issues that were obvious. I didn’t want us to be lingering in that place to make both of us make it and still be able to finish the work we both needed to do. We both knew, work was more than observation and treatment. We still needed to document on each of those inmates.

“Eeeww!!” she exclaimed as she saw me wrapping the BP cuff monitor on the last inmate sitting on the end.

“I thought it was vomit,” I replied.

“It was oatmeal.”

“Disgusting!”

“I know! I don’t know what the fight is about but what a waste of food,” I added, noticing by then how each of those inmates were covered with oatmeal served that morning. Their shoulders. Their hair. Face. Backs.

As I finalized jotting down the last inmate’s health history, I looked beyond the glass windows where I saw the other inmates still enjoying their breakfast. Spoon after spoon of the hot oatmeal, I saw some of them laughing, as if there was no fight that occurred.

We ended up bringing only 2 out of the 8 inmates with us to the Infirmary who needed to be treated by the in-coming Physician for possible suturing of their lacerations. 

Right on the dot, both of us were able to get up and leave the prison. Welcomed by the cold, morning breeze as we pushed the door that led to the staff parking, we thanked each other. We knew, if we didn’t help each other, we wouldn’t have made it. 

I turned my car’s ignition as I put my shades to protect my vision from the morning rays of the bright sun. As my car slowly moved toward the electronic gate, my mind also wandered far. 

To this day, I often think, how wasteful it is…for people who proclaim they are Christians yet they keep bickering. Fighting. Accusing each other. Sometimes, still doubting what is true and right…Instead of enjoying the true Food of our souls…God’s Word…

What a waste to try seeking the true faith when God’s Word has been given already. Just lay hold of it. Feast on It!

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.-2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled. - Romans 15:4 (NLT)

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. – Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. – Job 23:12 (NLT)