My Blog List

Friday, July 23, 2010

A Guardian Angel in Prison

I was a Director of Nursing at a large prison in the state of Georgia. It was not a glamorous or a overly important job position. I believe I had six employees. We did care for fifteen hundred inmates and I used many agency nurses to assist us.

One of my duties was to order and then to pick up the monthly supplies for the medical unit. It was usually quite the expedition. I was required to have an officer with me at all times. I also took an inmate orderly with me to lift the boxes.

july 4 2010 105-1

One of the medical orderlies, Mr. N had attained Trusty status which means his security risk was the lowest. Trusty inmates have not been in any trouble for many years and have no discipline reports. Which is good. We liked Trusty orderlies to work in medical and places like the Warden’s office. Mr. N was also a Christian. He was one of the rare felons who would look you in the eye and tell you he was guilty and deserved to be in prison. Everyone else was innocent, of course.

One day Mr. N, the officer, and myself took off with a huge buggy to the laundry to get supplies. You had to go through the hot laundry room to get to the warehouse area. Before the warehouse is an anteroom.  Almost a cage really. A prison is full of locked cages.

july 4 2010 103

I picked up the supplies. The buggy over flowed so a supply orderly was helping us. Several inmates and I were in the anteroom and the officer left me. He left me there in the anteroom with four felons and no one else. It was an awful breach of protocol. Yes, I was afraid. Then Mr. N stepped closer to me and said, “Nothing will happen to you as long as I am here” with quiet confidence. You see, he was respected because of his faith and how he served others in that place. He was also six feet tall and had huge biceps.

Size is not always a factor however. I saw little guys fight like crazy in the prison system too. I witnessed the aftermath of stabbings and many terrible things I will not discuss further.

My being left in that cage shook me. After that I demanded a radio. Which I was given reluctantly. A radio can save you in a bad situation and keep you informed of the happenings in that walled and gated city. I kept that radio with me. It was my buddy.

july 4 2010 106

Mr. N, though it was not planned, actually was moved to the prison I transferred to just before I retired. It was such a blessing to see him care for the sick inmates in our little prison hospital. He became a Certified Nursing Assistant via classes my supervisor taught.

He has been released. He is home with his wife who stood by him through sixteen years of incarceration for robbing an ATM machine. They have nine children.

He was my guardian angel that day. The reality of what could have happened is unspeakable. He stood in the breach. God placed him there for me that day. He was an answer to a quick prayer.

I am linking with Cindy at I Owe It All to Him for her link party. Please visit and read the other accounts of how people have made a difference in the most special ways.

To better understand Christ’s view of the care and treatment of prisoner’s read Matthew 25:31-46. 

 

grace surrounds us

Olive

 

28 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story and post my friend...Thank you so much...it's good to know their are Angels among us...Hope you have a GREAT weekend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a dramatic story. What a Blessing to have Mr. N there as one of God's angels to protect you. I am so happy that he is released and back home with his family. I also pray that he is able to find work and provide for them the way he wants to. I know the Lord continues to bless you both. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh dear Olive, what an incredible and heartfelt story. Oh my, Mr. N was your angel that day, no doubt about it! What a blessing to know that he served his time and all the while, he did such a blessed deed in protecting you. I am happy to hear that he is with his family now. I pray that he'll be able to take care of his family and wife that waited for him all these years.

    Hugs,
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's beautiful Olive; a great illustration of how our loving Father cares for us.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a touchy story, Olive. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope the rest of his life at home will be one of virtue and happiness!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Mr. N sounds like a good man who at one time made a bad decision. It was good to read that his family stood by his side. He was definitely your guardian angel that day. He knew his job that day was to protect you and he did his job well.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  7. God was with you, Olive. what a frightenening time. What a blessing he was with you. thanks for sharing this...

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful story. You were blessed to have that special person at that place that moment. I'm so glad the story has a happy end. You were safe and later Mr. N was reunited with his family. These beautiful rose pictures are perfect compliment to this wonderful story.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a testament to God's power. He places people in our life at just the right moments.
    I do hope that the guard was reprimanded for leaving you in that situation. God bless Mr. N.
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Olive,
    What a wonderful story and what a courageous man who stepped forward to help you...it is amazing!!! I would have been petrified! But, it is so phenomenal that "an earthly guardian" was watching out for your welfare....AND also, I am so glad that he found his faith while in prison and that he is now out and can enjoy his family. This is really an astounding story that shows us that God can be with us even thought we might not realize it.
    Hugs,
    Cindy
    xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for leaving a nice comment on my blog, I have so enjoyed visiting everyone's blogs and seeing how God is so faithful to each of us.He sure was with you while you were working in the prisons.
    Hugs, Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear Olive-
    This is an amazing story- although it is so much more than that.

    It is a testament to your faith and the faith of your friend.

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

    Olive- what do you enjoy doing now that you are retired?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow Olive that is truly and amazing account of how angels really do walk among us!....so glad you found my blog and now I found yours, right back atcha....
    hugs
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  14. It is so neat how Christians can really serve each other. I am thankful that He knows the Lord and that He has been reunited with his family. It must be so hard to resume life outside of prison when you have been in prison for that length of time.

    nannykim from devotionalstuffy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for this wonderful story. Angels appear where we least expect them. I'm so glad this man was a part of your life and that he is now free and home with his family.

    xo
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  16. Olive,
    What a story!! An angel by the nme of Mr. N was there with you that day!!
    As a nurse myself, hats off to you working in the prison system! It would not be for me!
    Direct patient care is a very hard part of nursing and it is getting harder everyday! Nurses are getting older and staffing is getting shorter!!
    We staff my 20 bed Rehab unit with 2 nurses on night shift .... whether we have 2 patients or our max of 20!We had 20 patients that night I got hurt.
    My back is shot, I have had surgery for 4 abdominal hernias and none of these qualify for a work related injury.
    These are injuries that happen over time and takes a tole on one.
    I am happy that you are retired and can now enjoy life!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Olive - this is a wonderful story. My husband and I have served in a prison ministry and have traveled to one of the maximum security facilities here in Texas. Those inmates who have trusty status have helped our ministry teams many times. One in particular has been in prison since 1975, but has since become a Christian. Other inmates look up to him and he is a faithful witness for Christ inside those wall.

    Blessings,
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  18. Olive...I'm so glad you were safe and that Mr. N realized your beauty within to look over you the way he did. Very touching story. I too am linked up with Cindy. Thank you for visiting my blog today and your encouraging words were well received...Lovey

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, Olive. Thanks for sharing this incredible story.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Glad Mr N was there for you but 16 years for an ATM seems a bit much! Poor guy - glad he is out!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Olive--
    You are the guest artist for Sunday!!! And it is posted...come on over and take a look!
    HUGS,
    Cindy
    P.S. Oh, you can grab a guest artist button and announce it on your blog if you want so your readers see it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh My! What a story and so well told. I could just imagine, while reading your story, how frigtening that situation must have been. How wonderful that the inmate not only sensed your fright, but that he reassured you that he would take care of you. And how heart warming to learn that he became a Nursing Assistant and is now living with his family. God truly works in mysterious ways, and I can see His hand in so many facets of your beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this. (I hope that prison guard was disciplined!) laurie

    ReplyDelete
  23. When we rest in the shadow of the most high God, he is our Rock and fortress.. This story portrayed a faith in God and in the redemption of one sinful man. It dislayed his total change of heart, one that could only happen by the power of Jesus in his life. His life was a walking testament to the saving grace of Jesus.
    A beautiful witness/ God bless you for sharing..and, the roses are a great vista of the beauty of the man in the story.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm so glad I got to hear this. God has a place and time for each of us to be of service. Even in prison this man was doing God's work. This story lets us get to know you just a little better!
    love you,
    Debra

    ReplyDelete
  25. God is good! This is a wonderful story! I visit our local prison regularly and although I have never been in that situation, it is stories like yours that give me the confidence that God will always be there for me.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Olive,
    Everyone is enjoying your beautiful bouquet!!!!
    Hugs,
    Cindy
    xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am all to aware of the prison system and the danger that you were in. That officer should of never left you alone. You were blessed to have Mr. N there with you... an angel!

    Thank your for your story and message. You are an angel to me today reminding me of Gods goodness, answered prayers and this message and scripture of prisoners.

    Bless You~ Sherry F.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Such a wonderful story,Olive, beautifully illustrated by the blossoming roses! Tales like this are why I continue to believe there is much more goodness in hamankind than evil.So glad there was someone there to watch over you...

    Lynette

    ReplyDelete

I adore your comments. They are like finding unexpected chocolates. olive