Final Follow Up
Next week, we’ll get on to other things. I believe the Lord wants me to share some more responses to my original piece. Below are links to both the original piece and last week’s response piece.
– The article was wonderful and all the comments were excellent. I will copy it and give to my hubby. I am sure it will leave a lasting impression on him because he works with many people who have lost loved ones recently, and this will help him in the future, I am sure.
Sometimes it takes someone such as yourself to point out things we miss. Because we’re in the ministry, we want to minister to all kinds of people in all kinds of ways. Take care and may God bless you and yours mightily.
– I enjoyed the devo about helping others for a year after they lose a loved one. There is a lady in our church who just lost her husband before Christmas. He was 46 years old and died of complications from diabetes. I have felt led to do a secret sister thing each month for her as an encouragement. I knit slippers (a hit with many family and friends) and thought I’d knit her a pair of really soft ones for this month of Jan. Then, each month after that either send her a note with a book mark or send a packet of herb seeds in the month of May (her husband loved to grow herbs) and then think of things I know that she likes and do one each for the rest of the months.
The way you have helped others in this area has encouraged me to do my part in some small way. Because of the amount of time I need to spend with my husband, I thought the secret sister thing would be a good idea…and I’m sure I know her well enough that this would be an encouragement to her.
Thank you for your faithfulness to the many ministries that God has given you. You are an encouragement to me to continue in the faith.
– I totally agree with you on followup with friends that have been ill or have lost a loved one. As you say, we minister to those in need at the time, then tend to forget about them. Shame on us!
(The following is from the gal mentioned in one of last week’s responses. She hauls water for her and her father. Last week’s writer sent her flowers half the country away as an encouragement. Both are friends of mine, but neither knew the other had written me.)
– Hi there – just read your newest. I have to agree that you never really know how important the followups are until you’ve gone through the grief process yourself. I never really had much exposure to death until I was in my late 20’s. Seems we don’t get much instruction on how to handle that part of life. Maybe it’s just because it’s so different and difficult for everyone. We all adjust and react differently. I know I’ve been on the receiving end of others’ caring. I’ve been blessed with great friends who always seem to know when I’m at my lowest. Cards, letters, calls and Emails just arrive and help me remember that I’m truly alive and not alone.
Seems you get “lost” somewhere along the daily way. I did and do remember to send cards and call my friend (who lost her Dad right after my Mom passed) because of my experiences. It’s still hard to know what to do, but at least making contact seems right. I know how much I appreciate it myself. Several of my Mom’s close friends still call and write to see how I’m doing and that really means a lot to me. It reaffirms how well thought of my Mom was and how lucky she was to have good friends in her life. And to think – my Mom never believed she had friends!!
Speaking of good friends, our mutual friend always knows how to bring a smile. I was pleasantly surprised by lovely flowers last evening. When I called to thank him, he just told me that he wanted to cheer me up and he knew no one else would send any. Words really can’t express how much things like this mean to one on a “lonely” day.
– I pastor a decent-sized church in the mid-West. In all our growing and building, I never thought much about “after care” for those who’ve experienced heartache and grief in our congregation and community. Thanks to your writing AND the letters last week from your readers, I’ve been giving serious thought to future plans.
I’ve put my ideas in writing and will take it to our elders. I feel greatly inspired and motivated to reach out to those who’ve lost family members to death. Those who responded last week opened the door to other needs, such as miscarriages, stillborns, divorces, etc. Thanks!!!
PAPAJ AGAIN: I hope this three part series has inspired you to some kind of action. As Brother James said, “Don’t just be hearers…be doers as well.”
Anything you want to share with me? Just use the “Leave a Reply” box below! God bless you for your participation in “Inside Out”.
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