In the last work week I have…
- Been reminded that it is God who does all things in and through me. I am nothing without Him.
- Chased a gerbil around a wheelchair bound patients room so he didn’t escape.
- Been offered to have my car babysat by a man in the Tenderloin in exchange for a beer.
- Been in the most beautiful homes in SF that I never even knew existed.
- Been in some of the worst living environments that I knew existed but never entered until now.
- Met the sweetest and kindest elderly people.
- Learned to love my GPS system.
- Paid far too much for parking in SF. (Seriously. the Tenderloin charges you $.25 for 5 minutes. YES, 5 MINUTES)
- Had enough change to pay for parking or found parking spots that were free when I had no change.
- Had the opportunity to listen and support individuals in some of their most vulnerable states.
It has been fun to look back on the past week as I have officially started conducting my own home visits. While I have listed some fun moments, oh the joys of social work, the first entry on my list is by far the most important.
I am learning to love my new job, which has been quite the change. Social work was never easy but my new position has given me a run for my money. It has been hard to shift gears after almost 2 years of comfort, if you will, working at the group homes. I felt confident in myself because I knew what I was doing, at least I thought I did.
Now, more days than not, I wake up wondering, “God, how am I going to do this today? I don’t know enough. What if I don’t have the resources or knowledge that I need?” To date, He hasn’t let me down and deep down, I know that He never will because He is good. I may struggle but it is He who will rescue me and NOBODY else. Not even myself, despite my hardest efforts.
It is in those moments where I truly let go and let God, that He surprises me. It has come in the form of returned phone calls at just the right moments, parking spots right where I need them, gracious people that He has put in front of me, and so much more that I am not even aware of. I thank God for those moments and the grace that He continues to give to me. I truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I pray that God would continue to break my heart for the things that I see and that God would give me the wisdom, passion, and resources to confront them. That He would continue to fill my heart with compassion. Finally, and most importantly, that I would wake up each morning and trust that God is going to meet my needs in His good and perfect timing.
