Give them a call
Do you know anyone who lost a love one this year? A widow? A friend who lost their parents? Parents who lost a baby or adult child? A young person who lost a sibling?
Why not give them a call and invite them to ride with you to your church’s Christmas Eve service?
Grieving people often find it hard to attend church, especially alone, as it is an emotional place to be. The holidays can be extra hard. Having a friend pick you up and walk into church with you makes it feel like a safe place to be.
Pack some extra tissues in your purse or pocket as tears will likely flow once the carols start.
But pick up the phone and call. Don’t assume that someone else will do it. Don’t assume that family is in town. Don’t assume they already have plans. If any of these is true and they say “no thank you”, you still made them feel loved by your offer.
Grief at Christmas, hospitality
What bereaved parents want you to know (but may not say) | kathleenduncan
[…] 1. Don’t wait for me to call you. Please call me every once in a while. I know you told me to call if I ever needed anything, but it’s hard to call and ask when I am hurting so badly. I don’t want to appear weak. Or pathetic. And I don’t seem to have the strength to ask anyone to do things with me. Sometimes just returning a text is too hard. But I need you to keep trying, to keep calling. Call with a specific plan like “can you go to lunch at 11:30 next Tuesday?”, not just “let’s have lunch sometime”. I will get better and want to go with you to that dinner, movie, or play some day. And if I say “no thanks” this time, I need you to ask again. I need you to call me just to chat, even when I may not feel like chatting. I need you to call me to help me remember that the world continues to turn and life goes on and that you want me to be a part of it. (Give Them a Call) […]
mariamhyder88
Correct! To receive a call or a kind gesture esp. after a loss is always appreciated. People admire to know that they are important for someone.
thereluctantbaptist
Thank you for that loving suggestion Kathleen. I read this article yesterday and then I noticed that you posted on the subject, too: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/december-web-only/kay-warren-stop-sending-cheery-christmas-cards.html?start=2
Important discussions.