For those who want to help, what do people need?

An Easter reflection: when we consider what Jesus gave to all humanity on the cross — a staggering thought that leaves us staggered — it inspires us to give.

A question on the heart of all those who love to love people right now is what do people need?  There are practical needs, just as there are more clinical needs.

At desperate times, it’s a normal response of a caring society for citizens to ask, “how may I serve?”

The following is a list I’ve compiled, and I would love to hear of others, too.

What do people need?

·                   hope in their fear; faith as the way

·                   purpose for now and the future; purpose preferably with income

·                   the ability to FEEL without hurting themselves or others

·                   the capacity for courage in staying well in their adversity that they cannot change

·                   food, clothing, toiletries, shelter

·                   a place to be heard, to be ‘met’, to be encountered – human connection

·                   reassurance, even if or when they may be on the wrong path – grace in one word

·                   comfort in their grief; to be present with them, and to be tended to emotionally and practically

·                   a place where their joy may be expressed

·                   a place to connect and a way of connection

·                   people they respect who they can trust – so many people don’t have this!

·                   a way to live selflessly – that is personally meaningful

·                   to be shown the real Jesus – real human hands and feet

·                   permission to live as free persons, not bounded by shame, guilt or sin

·                   insight into who they are, who they want to be, and why AND especially about how realistic those aspirations are – with dignified gentleness

·                   power over their mind in order that they may use it to govern their behaviour

·                   an advocate, first and foremost, who will believe in them

·                   an understanding of their heart; people who build them up and don’t tear them down

·                   people who won’t manipulate or take advantage or exploit them or their situations

·                   people who will really listen to their point of view and trust their opinion

·                   people who actually seek them out – to consult with them on matters that affect them – how little this happens in the rush and tumble of life nowadays

·                   role clarity so they know with some assurance what is expected of them

·                   a place to grow, where criticism is minimal, where people invest into their lives

·                   their place in the world

·                   to be helped when they need it

·                   to be valued for who they are, not just for what they do

·                   to be recognised and appreciated for what they do

·                   to find identity in BEING rather than through achieving, possessing/having or needing to be liked

·                   to be contented and to feel safe when they’re alone in this world

·                   to be able to raise their contentions and disagreements without fear of reprisal and in the hope of not being blown off

·                   to operate in communities that are committed to peace

·                   to be valued for WHO THEY ARE in the community and not just for what they do (here’s looking at you, workplaces)

·                   to have access to community where the culture embraces conflict and seeks to resolve it proactively and respectfully and appreciatively

·                   to be loved and to have opportunities to love

Obviously, there are many more I could add to this list.

Could you help by adding some in the comments?

This would help very much as we seek to identify all the ways we might be of service to everyone in this time of enormous challenge.

Thank you.

Photo by Erik Witsoe on Unsplash