Help that Brings Hope July 5, 2013
I admire people who are able to think of just the right act of kindness that will ease stress during critical times.
My mind often “freezes” and I don’t seem to think of a thing that I feel will really help.
Many of us say “Give me a call if there is anything I can do to help.” I know I have said this many times, thinking my friends really will call me when they need something. That has never happened. No one ever calls. And, I know that whenever someone has said to me "Give me a call if you need anything", I have never felt the freedom to ask for help. I have not wanted to inconvenience anyone.
There is a children’s song by John W. Peterson that has been running through my mind for weeks as I have contemplated writing this article. Here are the some of the words:
He went about doing good
And helping where'er He could
Our example is He
And like Him we should be
Who went about doing good
This song was inspired by the following verse found in the New Testament.
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,
who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
I may not be able to bring the long lasting and eternal help that Jesus Christ gives, but I should certainly follow the example He lived while He was here on earth. There are many good things I am able to do that will bring healing to the spirit, if not to the body.
Here are several more ideas that will give practical Help that Provides Hope from my prayer partners.
Emotional Help
1. A quick phone call just to say "I'm thinking about you today."
2. This is nothing unique...we don't have to come up with something new, but just doing the things that God lays on our heart is a real source of encouragement to someone who is going through a stressful times.
3. "I have been so encouraged that people have taken the time to come for a visit...Those visits certainly help to pass the time and are such an encouragement."
4. Just be available to listen. "in my devastation, you listened over and over again as I shared and re-stated my heartbreak..."
5. Use Skype to bridge the miles. Here are some words from a hurting heart. "I think that the only way I survived it was because of our Skype sessions with me."
Physical Help
1. "Clean their house or pay someone to clean their house. I heard of someone that did this for someone whose husband died and had been sick in the hospital for a long time."
2. Sending cards is still a wonderful way to brighten someone's day.
3. "Provide a Meal." This is always appreciated. "It is amazing how sitting down to something prepared for you when you can't do it yourself nourishes both the body and the soul."
4. Get the car washed
5. Mow the lawn
6, Give flowers or a potted plant
7. Deliver a favorite dessert
8. Give the use of a cottage for a free get-away
9. Go out to lunch together at a special or a new place
10. Offer to take them to the doctor or to other appointments
11. Offer to take the kids for a day or evening
Several weeks ago, a church lost their pastor to suicide. You can imagine the church is still devastated. One of the congregations nearby stepped in and staffed the nursery and Sunday School the following Sunday so that all of the church adults could attend the service together and draw strength from God as a family. This was an amazing and thoughtful act of kindness.
The following are ideas from a friend who lost her husband several years ago.
“Remember that your friend isn't 'over it' in a month, or even in two or three or four, even though they look okay on the outside. Grief work is long and slow. The occasional card, phone call or visit is still a wonderful source of help a long way down the road.”
“Providing another opportunity for your friend to rehearse the story again, even months away from the event, is a kindness you can give to those who still want to talk, but feel they can no longer burden their friends with the same information. A patient, listening ear is a gift to your friend.”
“Little do we realize how much a small act of kindness that shows God's love in a practical way means until we are on the receiving end of such a blessing.”
Look around your world and find a way to “Bring Hope for Today – Strength for Tomorrow.
Find a way to “Bring Hope for Hurting Hearts” through your Words, Prayers and Help.
You may be interested in learning what Nancy Leigh DeMoss has to say. She has a lesson on her website call "Helping Others Endure" at www. http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/helping-others-endure-1/
My mind often “freezes” and I don’t seem to think of a thing that I feel will really help.
Many of us say “Give me a call if there is anything I can do to help.” I know I have said this many times, thinking my friends really will call me when they need something. That has never happened. No one ever calls. And, I know that whenever someone has said to me "Give me a call if you need anything", I have never felt the freedom to ask for help. I have not wanted to inconvenience anyone.
There is a children’s song by John W. Peterson that has been running through my mind for weeks as I have contemplated writing this article. Here are the some of the words:
He went about doing good
And helping where'er He could
Our example is He
And like Him we should be
Who went about doing good
This song was inspired by the following verse found in the New Testament.
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,
who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
I may not be able to bring the long lasting and eternal help that Jesus Christ gives, but I should certainly follow the example He lived while He was here on earth. There are many good things I am able to do that will bring healing to the spirit, if not to the body.
Here are several more ideas that will give practical Help that Provides Hope from my prayer partners.
Emotional Help
1. A quick phone call just to say "I'm thinking about you today."
2. This is nothing unique...we don't have to come up with something new, but just doing the things that God lays on our heart is a real source of encouragement to someone who is going through a stressful times.
3. "I have been so encouraged that people have taken the time to come for a visit...Those visits certainly help to pass the time and are such an encouragement."
4. Just be available to listen. "in my devastation, you listened over and over again as I shared and re-stated my heartbreak..."
5. Use Skype to bridge the miles. Here are some words from a hurting heart. "I think that the only way I survived it was because of our Skype sessions with me."
Physical Help
1. "Clean their house or pay someone to clean their house. I heard of someone that did this for someone whose husband died and had been sick in the hospital for a long time."
2. Sending cards is still a wonderful way to brighten someone's day.
3. "Provide a Meal." This is always appreciated. "It is amazing how sitting down to something prepared for you when you can't do it yourself nourishes both the body and the soul."
4. Get the car washed
5. Mow the lawn
6, Give flowers or a potted plant
7. Deliver a favorite dessert
8. Give the use of a cottage for a free get-away
9. Go out to lunch together at a special or a new place
10. Offer to take them to the doctor or to other appointments
11. Offer to take the kids for a day or evening
Several weeks ago, a church lost their pastor to suicide. You can imagine the church is still devastated. One of the congregations nearby stepped in and staffed the nursery and Sunday School the following Sunday so that all of the church adults could attend the service together and draw strength from God as a family. This was an amazing and thoughtful act of kindness.
The following are ideas from a friend who lost her husband several years ago.
“Remember that your friend isn't 'over it' in a month, or even in two or three or four, even though they look okay on the outside. Grief work is long and slow. The occasional card, phone call or visit is still a wonderful source of help a long way down the road.”
“Providing another opportunity for your friend to rehearse the story again, even months away from the event, is a kindness you can give to those who still want to talk, but feel they can no longer burden their friends with the same information. A patient, listening ear is a gift to your friend.”
“Little do we realize how much a small act of kindness that shows God's love in a practical way means until we are on the receiving end of such a blessing.”
Look around your world and find a way to “Bring Hope for Today – Strength for Tomorrow.
Find a way to “Bring Hope for Hurting Hearts” through your Words, Prayers and Help.
You may be interested in learning what Nancy Leigh DeMoss has to say. She has a lesson on her website call "Helping Others Endure" at www. http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/helping-others-endure-1/