Here are ten (much more thought-out) answers to the question, "How can you bless or encourage your chronically ill friend?" Thank you for all of you who have done these things for me.
1.) If you ask how their day is, be prepared for a barrage of tears or a deep sigh instead of the standard lie.
2.) Focus more on heaven as a final means of restoration than a vague hope of earthly healing.
3.) After asking how you can pray for your friend, don't just tell them you will pray with them; pray with them right on the spot.
4.) Be quiet and courteous.
5.) Plan events you know your friend will enjoy with small groups of close friends.
6.) Call. Write. Skype. E-mail. Establish contact somehow in a way that is convenient for your friend as a simple way of saying, "I love you, I was thinking about you, and I am wondering - how can I encourage you today?" It doesn't have to be fancy, and it probably shouldn't be long.
7.) If appropriate, send a small gift in the mail.
8.) Selectively pass on resources you find as an encouragement: pamphlets, articles, websites, songs, etc.
9.) If God has blessed you with discretionary funds, see if you can somehow use that toward a small or great need in your friend's life. I've been blessed in this way many times; it's an incredible feeling - both for the giver, and the receiver.
10.) Compliment physical appearance when appropriate. I don't often feel particularly attractive, let alone presentable... but its so nice when someone looks at me and says, "You look beautiful today," and I can tell they really mean it.
Also, Rest Ministries has a great list that is quite a bit longer than mine with 52 ways to encourage a chronically ill friend. Check it out!
(Grin) I thought you would like to know that when I looked up "The LOve of my redeemer..." on Google... your blog came up. Attagirl!
ReplyDeleteA lot of people find my blog that way! I think it's pretty cool! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great Camille. So practical. How may I contact you to speak about the possibility of reprinting this post in the magazine I edit?
ReplyDeleteYou may e-mail me at ednella.godfollower@gmail.com :)
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