set the world on fire

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." Proverbs 31:8

As a social work major, I have heard it all:

"That job does not make a lot of money."

"So all you do is take kids away from homes, right?"

"You have to be called to a job like that."

"So you just have to want to help people, right? People always come to you for advice!"

 Social workers do not choose this career with money in mind. In fact, if you're choosing social work just for the money, you are in the totally wrong profession in the first place. Money is a temporary and worldly thing. God tells us not to worry about those things. The Bible tells us that we are more valuable than birds (Yes, I know it says it a little more gracefully). Whatever you choose to do, God will take care of you as long as you are using the talents you have been given and you are giving Him the glory! 

Let's go ahead and get this one straight as well. Social workers are advocators, supporters, listeners, teachers, and leaders. Values, integrity, love, honesty.....these are the things that make up social workers. Social workers fight for rights, fight for justice, fight for change. Social workers want families kept together and for children to be in a safe and nurturing environment. Social workers will push you, encourage you, and help you. You will find a social worker in a school, a hospital, a mental health or substance abuse center, and so on. Social workers are available in clinical aspects, as well as international and research aspects and many more. They are called to so much. They must be prepared to work with people from all kinds of backgrounds with all kinds of different troubles. 

Social workers are strong. They must listen to heart-wrenching stories or watch grieving families. They witness chaos, pain, hurt, anger, and disgust. Social work is not about being that friend that everyone comes to for advice (which is great, don't get me wrong). It's about having strength and an open-mind with no judgements attached. It's about being able to put your sensitive side, well, aside. It's about having the wisdom to know that you CANNOT change somebody. Can you respectfully sit in the same room of a woman or man who has sexually, physically, or emotionally abused their children? Can you walk into the filthiest home you have ever been in without cringing or making judgement? Would you be able to listen to a woman speak of her domestic violence situation while she shows you the bruises? Would you be able to deal with attitudes, cursing, awful smells? Can you watch a loved one die of a terminal illness and witness the grieving family? Can you work well under pressure and be ready for tough choices? Do you even know how to conduct evidence-based research or figure out a treatment plan for an individual? Can you list the different cultural and racial differences to be aware of when interacting with a client, whether it is in a counseling or medical setting? If you flinched or said no to any of those questions, thank a social worker.

God blessed men and women with the talents and skills to be social workers. He blessed social workers with a strong heart and mind. He gets endless glory for providing these men and women with the ability to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

I personally believe that the profession is a calling, yes. I believe God blesses those people with the characteristics and talents they need to be a social worker. And I am so very grateful to share my talents with the world as a social worker. I am so grateful to God, to my family, to my friends, to my fellow social work pals.....they are all constantly there for me, pushing me, encouraging me, loving me. (Wine has also been there for me, just throwing that out there.)

I will speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

Please keep me in your prayers as I finish out these last couple months of my internship. It has been a great opportunity to learn so many things in the child welfare world. Please pray for children who are being or have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused. Pray that they may be blessed with healing and peace. Also, please pray for foster parents, that they may be blessed with the compassion and patience they need to take care of these hurting children. 

Social work is an amazing profession. It's the chance to make a difference in the world. It's a chance to let God's light shine in others' darkness.

Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to all of you out there working hard toward your dreams and career goals! You can do it! I think it is SO cool that you are pursuing what God has placed on your heart. Get out there and show the world what He has blessed you with. If you ever feel discouraged, know that God is always there rooting you on. You are a blessed individual with an amazing purpose. Fellow dream pursuers, encourage one another! I hate the typical "Well you should try being a blah blah major" or "That's an easy major!" K, just stop. It's not a competition. Each person on this Earth has their own journey and their own purpose. Let them live it, let them pursue it. 

Now......GO AND SET THE WORLD ON FIRE with your fiery God-given passions and blazing skills!!