This is a guest post by Texas Stready
As I enjoyed my dinner at “chuck wagon” tonight I heard a desperate cry, “Help me!”
I looked to the next table. It was in a panic. A girl there had started to have a seizure, but before she went into full convulsions she grabbed the arm of the lady to her left. Realizing she was choking, but not knowing how to help, the one she had reached out to for assistance needed assistance.
Before I knew it, the block was in an uproar. By the time I got through the circle that had formed around her, the victim had turned a pale shade of blue. Though alarm is not a common emotion for me, I was indeed alarmed, to say the least.
I’ve been incarcerated enough to know the drill. In any medical emergency, all inmates are instructed to lock down on their beds so the appropriate people can attend to the victim. With tables and trays, people, garbage cans and pandemonium, the officer entering the cell block could not locate the path to the dying girl. As usual, I was taller than every other woman in the crowd and was able to direct the officers to the purple inmate lying on the floor.
I headed to my bunk when I saw they were almost there. “Lock down, lock down” rang through the 25″ thick concrete walls. A gut-wrenching reality came over me. “This lady may die.” I have never witnessed anyone’s death take place and the helpless ache caused tears of sadness.
At that moment I jumped to my feet realizing I possessed a power that could change the outcome of this situation. The day room rumbled with nurses, officers, and even a few corporals. I saw Ms. Appleby preforming CPR. I reached my hand forward and with all the authority of a favored child, I begged my Father to help. As loud as I could yell, I prayed “In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I speak air into her lungs right now.”
I was in a place where I could see her face begin to immediately regain color as she gulped life-restoring oxygen. With both arms stretched to the atmosphere I began to praise God as I returned to my housing area. The room was silent so I shouted out, “Yay Ms. Appleby.”
Although I commended her on her appropriate and accurate reaction to this state of emergency, I am 100% sure that my God stepped in to save the day.
The Old Things Are Dead
I discontinued my own seizure meds on the 15th of this month. I believe my seizures were a repercussion of my continued substance abuse. Yes, the medication has stabilized this condition even during my drug and alcohol use, but my life in new now. The Word promises that God will make all things new and I believe this applies to my seizures as well as it does any other condition in my life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
“All things new,” to me, means no more Dilantin.
We are not promised tomorrow. Not even later today. Only right now. We are called to live and love God with all our hearts and the one at the table next to us as ourselves. So I state to you a phrase I have come to love, “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin.”
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live…Deuteronomy 30:19 RSV
Today I choose life. How ’bout you?
What a good word, Texas, and what a wonderful outcome as you called on that Name that is above every name and that includes “seizure.” Your time of incarceration has become your time of revelation of just who you are in Christ. I thank Him that your time is being truly redeemed and not just the time spent in the four walls of these past months but the time spent in the clutches of the one who wanted nothing more and nothing less than to take you out and render you powerless. Your are living proof that he is the ultimate loser and that your past is gone and that your future is here, in the Now and Now!
Funny .. yesterday as I prayed for Texas I thought, “gee, haven’t heard a peep about her or from her in ages.” And today she has a message for us. Thank you, Lord, that Texas was there, big and bold! Your Name is powerful. I praise God for Texas’ faith that she is new!! That old things are long in the past. Sounds like she’s doing great.
This was awesome. I love what Texas said about approaching God like a favored child, knowing that He can and will help. I needed to hear that today. I needed to remember that I AM a favored child, my Father DOES know and care about my aching heart and only HE can supply the cure. <3
Texas, I loved this. And I love your bold, yet child-like faith that our loving Father not only heard your prayer but responded with life restoring breath. HE was glorified in this helpless situation and He used YOU!
If you don’t already, I’ll bet you’ll have a pretty close relationship to this woman who almost died. I hope you’ve had the chance to tell her what was really happening as she was lying there, helpless and I hope you’ve been able to share Jesus with her.
We’re so proud of you and the amazing things you’re not only learning but putting into practice. What a trail of blessings and impact you are leaving as you travel forward!
Buzz and I send lots of love…
I’ll send this on to Texas for you. Thank you so much for writing it.
My dearest Cathee and Texas,
Yes, you/we are the favored child. When we get that in our spirit we walk and talk different. We hold our head up high and we speak with authority. Texas, I can see that in you! It is awesome. Your mission trip inside the walls is almost over but your witness will live on and on with the people you have shown the way… even the guards and officials. As I read this blog I got to the end and only wanted to turn the page and keep reading. Continue to write and share your story. I can’t wait to hear more. Love you both!!
Thanks so much, Cynde.I’ll pass this on to Texas.