Paying Attention....To Just "One"

 “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” – Hebrews 6:1 (ESV)

Photo Credit

“Hurry up!”

My voice echoing in the very long hallway as I hurried my pace, toting the emergency bag on my shoulder as I held down the radio housed in my scrub’s left pocket. The other nurse getting weary from the long dash it was taking us, smiled back at me, slightly shy from my unmatched, rapid steps.

The big, metal door slid as I pushed the button outside the particular unit which called for assistance as one of their inmates couldn’t get up in his cell because of severe pain. The location, we weren’t sure yet at that time. The lady controlling all the doors in that unit looked at me as she motioned her right hand and pointed at a particular segment to where we should go. I pushed the metal bars open and found most of the male inmates were locked down inside their tiny cells except for one sitting by the stainless-steel like table, where the inmates usually ate their “chows” (meals). His wrists, secured with a handcuff, he was talking loud at first and grew quieter as both of us entered their zone. Immediately, I felt all the hundreds of stares glued on the two of us, responding nurses. Curiosity scanning us from head to toe. Some of them, started talking loud. Some, with sexual gestures that wanted attention, unafraid to be disrespectful knowing that the deputy was busy with the downed inmate. I kept my eyes focused on the upper tier where one door was open and I saw the long figure of the deputy looking down at the inmate on the floor.

He was grimacing in pain. He said that he couldn’t get up because he was having too much pain. The other nurse whispered to me that she knew him. He was known to have a history of bladder cancer. I knew cancer hurt. But I knew that his pain could also be exaggerated as they hoped to be sent immediately to ER. I had to confirm my thought. So, I asked him if he was on any pain medications.

“The order had expired 2 days ago,” he replied, with slow utterance. I told him I would bring him to the Clinic so we could deal with his problem.

“But Ma’am…” he quickly uttered as he showed how he couldn’t even turn to his side as I commanded him to get up so we could help him get on a guerney I got from the nearby Clinic in their unit. “The doctor in ER told me I could always go back if I needed something for pain.”

I told him I knew that but at that moment, a trip to ER was not necessary as we could call the doctor and we could ask him for stronger pain medications. He didn’t say anything. Protesting silently with the way he looked at me. As he got up and got on the guerney, the familiar stares followed all of us. The talk becoming louder as some comments were to make fun of the situation. It wasn’t worth listening to those. It wasn’t worth paying attention to those who wanted a response from us. I could have put some of them in trouble if I wanted to. But it was just not worth it.

What needed our attention the most was this inmate. Though he exaggerated his pain, indeed, he needed something stronger for pain. As he didn’t appreciate our help of calling the ER doctor at first, I knew he would understand later that his pain was not life-threatening. But we wanted him to get back on something stronger to control his valid source of discomfort.

He swallowed the white pills the nurse had given him for pain. As he silently rested on the metal bench in the waiting area. Few minutes later, he appeared more calm. He didn’t say thank you but his stare was not piercing with anger and protest anymore. I knew…Someday… This incident would be in his heart. To make him think that the medical staff never ignored him. But wanted to apply the right intervention for his problem. Though it might not agree with what he thought was best.

And that’s how we are as servants of Christ. We don’t go after the crowds. We go after one individual like how Jesus did it. He cleansed Mary Magdalene of 7 demons. He explained to Nicodemus, a highly respected Pharisee, that their ways were not enough to get to God’s Kingdom. Jesus talked to the woman at the well and told her about the message of the Gospel which supersedes all barriers be they moral, religious or social. He had forgiven the dying thief next to Him on the cross.  And many more… Changed from the inside-out as they experienced Jesus’ personal touch of love, mercy, and grace. Like Jesus, we reach not to a big audience but to specific individuals by showing our true love and compassion. Like the kind that we have received from Him. For our own efforts will produce nothing. We bring only....JESUS...

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." – Luke 19:10 (NLT)

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."- Luke 5:32 (NIV)

“When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."- Mark 2:17 (NLT)

Abortion

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." - James 1:5 (NLT)

I was confused…with a protocol a nurse had followed by initiating it. For a pregnant inmate. Some of the standing orders that included prenatal vitamins and a bedtime snack given to sustain the life in her womb. I read her notes. Only to discover that the young inmate chose to abort the baby.

“Should I just cancel these?” I asked a co-worker sitting next to me doing orders like I was in front of the glowing monitor.

“Follow it for now,” she advised…

“But she already signed a consent for her to have her baby aborted…” I explained. She didn't know what to say next...

I felt my fingers on the keyboard suddenly felt heavy. Out of confusion, I tried not to mix my own emotions. Yet…I still typed. And ordered the prenatal vitamins and bedtime snack. Except for the duration of only 30 days instead of the usual length of pregnancy (40 weeks). I scheduled for her to see the OB doctor. As I softly prayed inside the hidden closet in my heart and mind…that this young inmate would be guided by His wisdom. From many years working in the corrections, I knew…I just knew…Most of them who chose to have abortion wanted it for convenience…This precious life that would be lost…Was innocent…Formed by the active God in the mother’s womb.

Is abortion really a matter of a woman’s right to choose? What about the matter of either life or death of a “human being”  made in God’s image?


"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

The Beautiful Miracle of Life from sharethemessage on GodTube.

Father, I pray...For those who are needing Your wisdom to make the right decisions. Give them the courage that they need to do the right thing. Even if they are facing the worst of the worsts, I know that Your knowledge will help them overcome. And for those who had already chosen to give up the life growing in their wombs, for whatever reason they had, may they come to know that Your love and forgiveness have no limit. May they be able to receive Your compassion, Your love, Your forgiveness...Anytime....Anywhere...In Jesus' Name. Amen...

CPR

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. – John 3:18 (NIV)

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. – John 1:12 (NIV)

My brother emailed me to thank me for the birthday card I sent him few days ago and was so glad to receive it exactly on that special day. He was happier even to see the picture I enclosed of his nephew (my son) who had grown so fast and who he knew was a big blessing for my husband and I.

“They would bury this guy in a few days…” he added…

“He died from a heart attack. That’s really an awful thing when it suddenly occurs. We were just talking to him in a mall and then we heard what happened to him…”

This was the same brother who emailed me last month about his own brother-in-law who also passed away from a heart attack. His brother-in-law, who had been dear to my family, especially to my parents, who treated him like their own son. The relationship became more special as my brother ended up marrying one of their sisters.

Reminded me…I was just talking to my friend last night that it would be time again to renew our CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) skills. But I told her I wanted to just take it near my house instead of going all the way down to the hospital where I used to work.

We, as healthcare providers, are required to renew it every 2 years. But since 2010, the American Health Association had changed the sequence of ABC (Airway-Breathing-Compression) to CAB (Compression-Airway-Breathing), giving more emphasis now on doing the compressions as they determined that it increased the chance of survival for those who become unconscious.

But......Does it?

That’s the man’s knowledge. When we enter the spiritual knowledge, it’s a completely different story. To know God is the highest form of knowledge. It becomes the source of strength for believers of Jesus Christ. Christ warns us not to have our hearts be satisfied and feel accustomed to the things of this world. It would only weigh the hearts down. But rather, when a man’s heart is being weighed down by sins, it is an opportunity to seek Christ and humble himself in front of Him. For anyone who welcomes Christ as their “Lord” are reborn spiritually, getting a new life from God. By faith, it is this kind of birth that changes a man’s heart. From the inside-out. A man’s heart being compressed to lessen its worldly desires to be replaced with things of God.  CPR…God’s way is:

C- hrist

P-roduces

R-edemption

When a man has the knowledge of the Holy One, the more love and faith are strengthened by His truth. The more we know Jesus, the more we love Him. With this knowledge comes hope…of what is to come…Of what He had already done to save men from their sins. Man’s knowledge is but a blur compared to looking through the telescope of hope that Christ brings. And when he looks, he discerns the glory that is to come…With a sure confidence…

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

–Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

So…even when death comes, there is no mourning. There is rejoicing. A true believer will not cry. Because of Christ’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in what He has done on the cross, when physical death comes, he will rejoice. He will sing…He will dance…

In The Fields...Of Grace...

“Lift your lips and open your mouth wide!” commanded the LVN who was passing meds that evening when I decided to re-acquaint myself in this facility where I used to work in my earlier years. The inmate in front of her, grinning sheepishly while the others shook their heads and started whispering...

There were 3 structures where the inmates were classified and housed. The dust was softly being blown by the late evening breezes. The sun was already setting behind those chain link fences locked in each doors.The yard empty by then as inmates huddled close, talking amongst themselves and some, watching shows from the big monitor reserved for them.

Those waiting for their evening medications were already lined up as the deputies had called them prior to our arrival. Holding cups of water and with the other hand holding their ID’s, one by one, they waited for their turn. The LVN did the right thing. When placing medications on the inmates' hands, she should make sure that the meds were swallowed as some were good at hiding the pills at the folds in their mouths, under the tongue, sometimes, spitting into the cup, and also, pretending to take the pills when one or all were hidden in their fingers. I remembered…I used to bring a flashlight when I used to pass meds in that facility. I aimed the bright light into their mouths where I could see well if anything was being hidden. I caught some…And when I did, they would either lose that privilege of getting that medications or be placed in discipline.

There are thousands of reasons why inmates do that behavior. Of hiding medications. Or other contrabands. They use those things for their advantage. Selling them in return for a favor. For things or other services. Sometimes, some are just being upset that they think they shouldn’t be there that they like to waste those so the county is losing money that way. They are good at improvising.

I looked at each body. The musty smell surrounding and reaching the cage that protected the deputies, the LVN, and myself. I saw “laziness”. Of some bodies laying on the bed. I couldn’t imagine for anyone not to do anything all day. Most of them, talking. In groups. Obviously with clear distinction of one color hanging around, or trying to find someone with the same race. The “brotherly handshakes” that meant “they belonged”…But still…I sensed most of them were not learning anything but laziness. They knew their rights. When outside, they were quick to violate that of others’. They complained about everything. Food. Beds. Pillows. Showers. Medications. When outside, they knew some of them couldn’t afford those. Especially that the economy had been hard for us.

The LVN waved goodbye as she escorted me and opened the front gate where the staff parking was. Slightly illuminated with amber lights, the surrounding areas were nothing but darkness. That was close to midnight. She was nice enough to accompany me and made sure I was okay until I got to my car. I thanked her and turned on my ignition. With the wilderness around me, I saw a reflection of a fading image of this facility from my rear-view mirror.  It was known as a rehabilitation center. But was it really helping others reformed their lives or not?

It was sad…To realize that God always provided for anyone’s needs only to be taken for granted. And how most prisoners always waited for provisions. When perhaps, God might be waiting for them to take the first step needed. To work. To do something. In order to meet that need. Of being reformed. Changed. For a renewed life.

Oh Lord, forgive us when we take Your blessings for granted…Forgive us when we don’t take actions when we should for the needs we lift up to You. How can we even forget that in Your fields of grace, all our needs are met and You never cease in supplying  our needs? Like Ruth, remind us oh Lord to glean the grain in Your rich fields of grace. Thank You Lord for Your love, grace, and mercy. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.