3 Points to Ponder
- “To do hard things, we all need a few ‘I’m with you’ people. It isn’t necessarily the work they do, but providing the foundational footing to walk new ground. Who are your ‘I’m with you’ people? Do they know the vital role they play in your life?”
- “For the poor and marginalized, many times they do not have access to the relationships to help them out of poverty. This is why it is so critical to lower barriers of access and to be present with people working to climb out of poverty’s web. Use your voice to advocate for them.”
- “Who you talk to on a daily or weekly basis can shape your future more than any influence in your life. Take stock of who you are talking to, as these conversations shape worldviews for better or worse. What relationships are life giving? What relationships are negatively shaping you?”
2 Quotes to Share
“One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever.” – Linda Lam
“Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to level yourself up.” – Thomas J. Watson
1 Story of Impact
There hasn’t been anything easy about starting and operating Many Hands, but many people came at the right time and were my “I’m for you” people. One of those couples was Tim and Lucia Van Maanen. The Van Maanens took their first trip to Haiti in 2010, bringing almost their entire family to Haiti (Sorry, Jesse, that medical school got in the way). It wasn’t an easy trip for them, as they ended up staying in Haiti a few extra nights because of political unrest. Meeting Tim and Lucia, two things immediately stuck out to me. First, they have a passion for life, helping people right where they are. I remember one time, about a year ago, our thrift store workers were overwhelmed. Tim showed up and said, “I’m taking the day off from my work and I’m going to help you today.” By day’s end, tears of appreciation flowed from our staff’s eyes. This is not a one-off story with the Van Maanens, as I can name many similar stories. Second, they are committed and show genuine signs of love and affection. Many of us are too scared to say, “I love you” to someone else. Not Tim and Lucia. They have told me they loved me almost more than my parents. And it means the world to me. Their love goes beyond words, as they have gone to hard places with me, loved on my kids, and sacrificially given when we desperately needed it. I can’t lead Many Hands without the Van Maanens cheering me on from the sidelines. Today, I challenge you to be that “I’m with you” person for someone else. Don’t look around and be sad if you can’t identify your “I’m with you” people. Instead, go be that for someone else because your life will be better for it.
