"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain
I woke up this morning really tired feeling irritable and negative. Then I read - www.offthebeatentrek.blogspot.com. RCUBE is an amazing lady who works as a nurse in a prison. Check out her blog. She is such an encourgement.
RCUBE's post today reminded me of when I was incarcerated and then placed on a locked psych ward. Staff have their own issues and sometimes they take it out on patients or prisoners. I hated being under their control and I hated feeling powerless. I wasn't a criminal. I was a drug addict. I never hurt anyone - only myself, but they made me feel like I was bad. Their controls, their authority made me hurt myself even more. It made me feel hopeless. It made me feel like my life was not worth anything. It made me want to give up.
But there were a couple of staff like RCUBE who showed kindness to me. They believed in me -they tried to help me. They made a difference in my life.
Jan, a nurse, knew I hated being locked up. Somehow she worked it out so that I could run errands off the ward or go with her to pick up supplies. She made it clear if I ran she would lose her job and I would end up there for a longer sentence. Her efforts made being locked up a bit bearable.
Lane, a social worker, believed in me. No matter how low I fell, no matter how many times I got in trouble - or hurt myself - she encouraged me to hang in - she showed me I was worth something. She went against what her manager told her and gave me her home phone number. She told me to call at the end of the day and talk to her mother until she got home. Both Lane and her mother empowered me with their support and kindness.
But what really made the difference for me was God. He showed me how much He valued me - His love never wavered no matter what I did or didn't do. He accepted me completely. The gentleness of His love changed me. It made me give up those things I was doing that were destroying myself.
And I think He brought those kind staff into my world to ultimately lead me to know Him. Because of Him - I want to be like RCUBE and Lane and Jan and so many others of you here - I want to show kindness and gentleness to others so they too can find freedom.
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17 comments:
I had tears in my eyes reading this because I could feel and even see the pain you had gone through as I work in the prison system and knows what goes on inside that outsiders don't see. And I'm glad that you pointed out how God brought those staff into your world. I honestly believe that because I had neck injury and when the doctor told me to get out of Nursing, out of my desperate cries, the Lord brought me to this place. If we really tune in to the Lord's leading and follow Him, nothing will go wrong.
Thank you for mentioning me in today's post. But I would love to throw it right back to the One Who changes our hearts and minds. Without Him, I wouldn't be an effective spiritual Christian warrior nurse working in the dark place called prison. To God be the glory. God bless you sister. I love that I am knowing you more and more and I'm grateful to have met you. May you keep growing in His love and grace.
I feel blessed to be able to get to know you sweetie, love to you.
Isn't GOD awesome. In our darkest hour HE meets our need. He placed those like RCUBES in your path and showed you that not everyone was filled with contempt. I thank GOD for RCUBES and all those just like her.
BLESS YOU, andrea
Wow Sarah.
I too enjoy Rcubes posts and her compassion and I read the one that you are talking about.
I totally love reading your posts also. Even though the pain still lingers for you, your hope in God is certainly an encouragement to me, and just for that I thank you!
You truly were blessed with those certain individuals in your life during the time you were locked up. You can give God glory for them.
Again, thank you dear one for sharing.... Blessings as always....
I'm off to read her blog now. I can't imagine how hard it was in there Sarah. :( I also thank God for those He sent to help you. :)
I've experienced being locked up too, and also learned how the smallest acts of kindness can offer hope.
I love how God puts the right people there at the right time.
Let's aim to be kind.
Thanks for following me. I look forward to knowing you better. I agree, Rosel at RCUBS is precious!
Love,
Beth
Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can have a huge impact and we never forget them. I'm glad God put these special people into your life.
You know- I bet you are that kind of worker today!! I bet you give your all and make a huge difference with the people you come into contact with cause you really understand:)
Praying for you! Thank you for following. Looking forward to getting to know your precious soul emerging...
Peace of Christ be with you always!
Hi sister. Just want to greet you a Happy SS! and may you have a wonderful weekend! Blessings :)
It amazes me how the kindess of others is so crucial to the healing of those who can't be kind to themselves. I am so glad these ladies were there for you to show you that you were worth the sacrifice.
P.S. Thank you for linking to my blog. If I can help just one person as a result of them reading of my journey, I have you to thank.
you have suffered too much in life, its people like rcube who make this world go around... thanks lady for being a true messenger of God
You went through a good bit of pain to learn such wisdom and now can show kindness and gentleness to those around you.
That IS the Great Commission isn't it? To show Christ's love to others, so that they will see Him in us. Thank you for a powerful post!
Dear Sarah,
You asked in your comment on Spiritual Sundays if there is something else you should do. This is a wonderful post today. I might suggest that in future posts for Spiritual Sundays you mention and link back to Spiritual Sundays. There are also sidebar buttons, 3 different ones, on the S.S. blog that we encourage others to put on their sidebars if they wish, and most do.
I loved reading your story here and so glad someone showed you love and compassion. Thank you for sharing it with us today. I know it will encourage others to be better because of reading of your experience.
Blessings,
Charlotte
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