After job shadowing nurses at a hospital for 10 days my junior year of high school, I quickly decided that the medical field was not for me. Passing out while observing a nurse simply find the vein to properly insert the IV in a patient’s arm was maybe what prompted me to suddenly consider the business field, which ended up sparking my interest and tailoring to my talents more. Oddly enough, that didn’t mean my exposure to the medical field would be over.
In my scrambling to find a summer job after the virus that shall not be named caused mine to fall through, I came across an application to work for a non-profit organization that has homes for people with severe disabilities who are unable to take care of their own needs. After getting hired, trained, and certified, I jumped into a job that quite honestly terrified me. I didn’t feel equipped for the position and I convinced myself I would fail before I even started.
But through surviving each shift, I saw that God granted me the strength I needed for every moment. As I worked full time all summer and over breaks, I began to grow in a powerful way and strengthen some of my weaknesses. I fell in love with the work because of who it shaped me to be and the life skills and lessons it taught me. It wasn’t easy or glamourous, but it opened my eyes to a love that I didn’t know existed and gave me patience, empathy and humility – skills that I will carry into any job as a businesswoman.
I found that often times, it is the most mundane, unglamourous work that draws out the greatest satisfaction. I really believe that even though it has great challenges, working with people with disabilities is the most rewarding and eye-opening experience. I have learned that serving people who are less fortunate than I am is truly humbling. Seeing their eyes light up when they are watching a movie or playing a game, hearing them giggle profusely from across the house and seeing them smile at you while you tuck them into bed at night are just a few moments I will never forget. It was a joy and an honor to help them through their day, make them smile and simply love them.
So, with my experience and story of working in a field that I never thought I would, I can easily say that it has done wonders for me to help people in such a meaningful way. I know that it’s not a job that everyone can do, but I think that everyone should experience working with people with disabilities to some degree. I was intimidated to serve because I didn’t feel like I would be enough, but I found that when you get a call to serve, God will give you the strength and skills you need to not only get through it, but to make an impact.
It’s so easy to stay inside of our comfort zones and to focus on our own lives and problems. This job forced me to set aside my selfish desires, take a step down and care for the least of these as God calls us to in Matthew 25:40. I think if more people would do the same, the world would be a much better place. It is totally okay if direct care isn’t for you, but I would challenge you to find a way of serving that pushes you outside of your comfort zone. God created you to serve and to love. Look for ways in this next week you can serve someone in need.
