It is I......the social pariah!!

It is the moment every police officer, lawyer, caseworker and accountant dreads.....the other night I was at my first connect group with members of my new church. All was going well enough despite the fact that the entire conversation revolved around everyone else's kids, a conversation which of course I wouldn't dare enter given my childless state...

They were joking about kids behaviours and being overwhelmed at times, and one of the mother's made the comment that she just wished she could lock them in a room for an hour or two to give her some peace. At that moment one of the other mothers turned to me and said "gee I hope you don't work for DOCS"

*sigh*

I looked at our host (who knows that I do) and through a thin smile I shone eyes of sheer panic at her. She gave me a look back that basically said "it's up to you...tee hee hee" It's the pivotal moment where you can either fob it off, or you can square up your shoulders and be proud of the hated despised work you do.

In that second I made a choice. "Actually I am, but that's ok" Everyone laughed awkwardly and the conversation moved on. Crisis somewhat averted or so I thought.

We watched a DVD on living a blessed life, and then we discussed it before praying and going back to social conversation.

The same mother who had made the comment about working for DOCS then turned to me and said..."So, what do you do?" I realised in that moment, horrified, that she had thought I was joking......

*sigh*

Faced with the same choice, I had to once again pluck up my courage and again blurt out "I work for the department of communities" The woman looked at me incredulously and burst out laughing "Oh God" she said "I thought you were joking!!"

Nope....I'm serious.

There's always a twinge in situations like this where you for a second think....Is my job really a joke?? I mean seriously - am I a joke to these people?? Of course that's not what this poor woman meant at all, and we all laughed about it and we were able to move on. Turns out the lady is a lawyer who works across the road, so we were able to talk about things in common and people in common which was good. I guess its all just part of working in a job that deep down, everyone really hates. We're splashed over the news all the time as being incompetent lazy and heartless. We're slammed if we dont act, slammed if we do, and no matter what decisions are made there's always someone willing to go to the press and talk about the big faceless government who doesnt give a crap. No one thinks about the hearts beating inside every case worker who feels, and eats, and sleeps, and lives, and breathes, and loves, and cares, and busts their ass to try and make a difference to this kid, and that kid, and the next kid. With the exception of a few professions I dont think any other job is more misunderstood.

But, as I said a few posts ago, some people are made to climb mountains and some people are made to stand in the mud. I just hope I remember never to sling it around!

Til next time!