Needs

Being downtown, we frequently hear the doorbell ring and find someone on our doorstep in need. They always have a story to tell. Like Tony, who just stopped by for a cup of water in order to wash his breakfast down, a breakfast that was simply a Little Debbie’s Nutty Bar. He also asked for a couple of bus passes to get him to and from work. Tony’s been by several times, it’s always the same. A cup of water and a couple of bus passes. This time, he had just finished spending several nights in jail for assault. Someone had cursed out his twelve year old daughter at the bus stop and he had to make a choice on how he should react. Obviously, in the words of the Third Knight, “He chose poorly.” (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade reference.)

Then there’s Marion. Marion first came by needing a post office box so he could get mail and his disability check. So we paid for a PO Box for him, which we’ve done several times over in my several years. Then he came needing a haircut or a new pair of shoes or a new coat or this and that. He always spends a few minutes shooting the breeze. He always tells me where he is living and how ‘there ain’t a lot a work out these days’. After a little chit chat, the conversation turns to what they need, the concrete possession they are lacking or the money they need to keep something going.

Now, I don’t have a clue whether or not the stories these men and women give me are true or not. I’d like to believe they are, but I’m not that naïve. I realize they are using me, that they really probably could care less about me or the church and that are really on a mission to get something and if I don’t give it to them, they will probably go elsewhere. Realizing all that, I have also come to a realization about myself. I really don’t care about their motives. You see, when I am sitting and listening to these stories that they tell, eventually I know they are going to get around to the truth of the matter and they are going to ask for what they need. And that is at the heart of any relationship. What one needs. It just so happens that these folks I am referring to, while their stories may be made up, they will truthfully tell you what they need. This stands in contrast to the many relationships we are in as human beings. In our ‘normal relationships’, we skirt around the needs that we have. Instead of saying, “I need to…” or “I need you to…” to our loved ones, to our friends, to our families, we build up walls and force them to play guessing games as to our needs. Actually, being needy is seen as being weak. No one wants to be classified as needy. But yet, we all are. Living in a broken world, we all have needs. Whether it’s to be accepted or to be loved or to be affirmed or to be held accountable or to be challenged, whatever it is, we all have needs. But I believe the great thing about all this is the fact that we worship a God who meets our needs. And God meets all our needs, not necessarily the way we think they should be met all the time, but God meets them nonetheless. And one way in which our needs are met is through the love and grace of other people. Now, wouldn’t it do us well, to open our lines of communication, to freely speak to one another about our needs, so as we don’t have to guess anymore. People are sent into our lives to meet our needs and to help us meet the needs of other, but we have to speak truthfully. I am thankful for Tony, Marion and the others, for teaching me to open up and to be honest about my own needs.