(I wrote this piece about 20 years ago when I was the exec. director of the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto (now the Opportunity Center).  It was part of the material we used to train volunteers.  It is a meditation on what it takes to be emotionally and spiritually available to people in a helping relationship.  Special thanks to Jeanne Toal, former caseworker at UMPA, who helped create the content of our training course.)

 
Are You Willing....

to listen to homeless and other people in crisis,
allowing for silence,
tears,
joy,
anger?

to view material assistance
(food, clothes, housing, referrals, etc.)
primarily as a means to the end
of having an ongoing relationship?

to let go of your agendas for other people's lives,
and to accept and respect people who do things
you wouldn't do?

to be honest and firm about limits,
to be realistic and clear
about what you will and will not do
in a helping relationship?

to be more than to do?

to be a witness to the unfolding of the lives
of people on the street,
letting them know that their stories
are supremely valuable?

to explore the roots of your own need
to be needed?

to be transformed in unpredictable ways
by the power of love
given and received?