How to Love Like Jesus: Practical Ideas for Supporting the Grieving {Part 2}

The past seven years have been long and hard. Suffering, tragedy, and loss continue to be a huge part of my story. Oftentimes I barely have time to grieve one loss before another takes place.  However in every loss, God sent people who showed his love to me in very practical ways. These expressions of love were God's grace to me when I needed it most.

"And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes." Esther 4:3 

In America, we rush through our emotions like we rush through most of life. We celebrate too rarely and grieve flippantly. Throughout scripture we see not only the importance of the grieving period but also an emphasis on grieving in community. 

Last month, in Part 1, we discussed the necessity of taking action when someone is grieving. Today I'm sharing some practical ways doing just that.



Practical Ideas for Supporting the Grieving

Physical Needs:

• Meals: Consider purchasing snacks or easy breakfasts if you cannot afford an entire meal. You can also provide freezer meals for those lonely days and weeks after people stop coming by. No time? There are tons of meal delivery services you could use that will bring something warm and fresh to your loved one's doorstep.
  
  
• Flowers: They're not just for the funeral! When my first husband passed away I received a beautiful vase of yellow roses anonymously to my home. They were the only flowers sent "just for me" and not the deceased. I had my mom's favorite flowers send to her in the same way following my dad's funeral.
  
  
• House Cleaning: A lady from church came over and cleaned my house from top to bottom before my first husband's funeral. She went so far as to buy me new cleaning supplies and lavender scented air freshener plug-ins to keep the place smelling fresh and tranquil. Again this could be hired out if you have the resources but are short on time.
  
  
• Extra Tables/Refrigerator: Another couple brought folding tables and a refrigerator for me to borrow. They set them up on my screened porch. This allowed me to store the volumes of leftovers from the funeral service as well as share meals with family who were in town for the service.
  
  
• Stamps: Someone sent me several books of stamps for thank you cards after my first husband's death. This was not only super practical but it also was a financial blessing that saved me a trip to the post office.
  
  

Spiritual Needs:

• Streams in the Dessert: This book is a classic for a reason and it's one of the gifts I bought myself after my first husband passed away. Almost every page is dog-eared and I passed my well loved copy along to my Mom in December.
  
  
• The One Year Book of Hope: This book by Nancy Guthrie comes in simple daily readings perfect for almost any person or season of loss.
  
  
• Pampering Kit: After my dad's death one friend made a me a special gift basket complete with scented candle, bubble bath, and bath salts. It was such a great reminder to make space for self-care and relaxation.
  
  
• She Reads Truth Prints: I received this beautiful print after my dad died. It was so nice to have a visual reminder of God's presence with me.  
  
  

Memorials:

• Bottle of Tears: Lindsey is a mama with Lyme disease who was given a vision for a ministry based on Psalm 56:8. You can send a literal bottle to anyone dealing with loss as a reminder of God's heart toward them.
  
  
• Willow Tree Angels: We received the Forget-me-not figurine following our second miscarriage. It was such a thoughtful way for friends to remember our baby with us.
  
  
• Lisa Leonard Jewelry: Lisa Leonard makes beautiful customized jewelry. My husband got me the mama bird necklace with the names of our two babies in Heaven on it and it's one of my most cherished possessions.  
  
  

Handmade Gifts:

• Art: Any kind of art will do. Children from church made sweet handmade cards when my dad died. My mother-in-law painted a beautiful canvas of our sweet babies in Heaven. These heartfelt gifts are truly priceless and show the depth of your care to someone grieving.
  
  
• Gift Baskets: After my dad passed away I received two hand made gift baskets and they were both perfect. One was a simple ménage of treats but it was so perfect and thoughtful. It included a Starbucks gift card, and insulated cold cup, chocolates, handmade cards, and more. Think about the person grieving or even what would make you feel seen in a time of grief and box those things up for an instant dose of thoughtful cheer. 
  
  

What are your practical ideas for supporting the grieving? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. 

About Joy

Joy is Florida girl currently living in Houston, TX, with her husband, Jason, and drool covered Bassett Hound, Sam. She has a degree in Church Leadership and a passion for church planting born from years of experience. She teaches women how to intersect their faith and life through intentional missional living at joybrudolph.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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