Thank you to everyone who prayed for my surgery last Friday! It went well and I’m settled back in at home.
Going through the recovery process has brought back a lot of memories for me, since I’ve had my fair share of medical issues and surgeries in the last 5 years. I don’t say that to have a pity party, but to share how I’ve been blessed by the generosity and thoughtfulness of others.
Sometimes I think we’re unsure how to help someone who’s going through medical difficulties or surgeries. Of course we all know to pray, but I’m focusing on hands-on types of things today. I hope this list of ideas will propel you to reach out to someone in your life who may need a hand. And who knows…God may just use you to draw that person closer to Him.
- Deliver a meal or collaborate with friends to set up a meal schedule.
- If you can’t cook (or even if you can!), give a gift card for carryout or pizza delivery.
- If the person has young children, offer to watch them for a day or two. Or if you can’t commit to a full day, even a few hours will help!
- If they have older children, offer to drive them to their practices and events.
- Offer to help with housecleaning or laundry. In between laundry loads, you can share a cup of coffee or tea.
- Hand-deliver flowers.
- Write an encouraging note.
- If you’re going to get your own groceries, call and ask if you can pick up something for your friend.
- Bring them books to read. (After a major surgery, my mother-in-law brought me a bag of 20 inspirational novels (yes, 20!). I spent my entire recovery reading them, and at the end, I heard the distinct call to start writing. You just never know how something simple could change the course of someone’s life.)
I know I’ve barely skimmed the surface with my list. What else can you add? How have others blessed you when you were facing medical issues or recovering from a surgery?
)
- A box of chocolates (cue Forrest Gump voice) — Sweet, sometimes nutty, and full of surprises.
