Just Show up

​We’ve all seen them in our facebook newsfeed.  Heartbreaking posts from someone who has lost a loved one or diagnosed with cancer or enduring financial hardship, or painful divorce…the list goes on. And as humans, we deeply desire to comfort these broken hearts through words.  However there is one repeated comment on facebook that we should really reconsider using-  “Let me know if you need anything.”

Too may times, we wait for a struggling person to ask for help. They may need someone to help put laundry away or take their children for a few hours so they can rest. Unfortunately, their mental and physical energy may be too low to be able assign us to these needed tasks. Or they may not want to feel like a burden or even know what they need. That’s why we just have to SHOW UP, look around and offer to do what’s needed without being asked.

Are there some people who are very private and possibly offended by help? Yes. And we want to respect their boundaries.  But who could seriously be angry at a plate of brownies or a pot of soup? My bet is most people will be grateful and feel loved.

Here are some simple ways to help a struggling person in their day-to-day life.

• Offer to drive them to a doctor or counseling appointment

• Take them a meal. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
• Drop off some groceries
• Walk their dog
• Take their kids for a few hours
• Cut their grass or weed flower beds
• Fold laundry
• Clean dishes in their sink
• Offer to run errands for them
• Drop off a cup of their favorite coffee
• Make a fruit and veggie tray for their kids