In college I studied mainly sociology – the study of society – and I think I have used my sociological brain in the past couple years more than ever. And in the past few months I have used it in higher gear. It’s not hard to do, and it’s not hard to see with social media posting everyone’s views, thoughts, opinions and feelings. The other place you can see our society is through it’s entertainment – books, movies, tvs, hobbies – which is also more accessible and on demand.


I’ve been on a book binge lately because I found that if I listen to books around the house I get a LOT done. (See? On demand books!) Praise God I’ve been able to stay on top of the mess that is my house (okay, at least more than before). But with all these books I’ve had to come face to face with a lot of truth about our world: it’s history, it’s attitudes, it’s appetites. Honestly, I haven’t been uplifted by the good in people because people are just not generally good. People are naturally sinful. They can make good choices and wise decisions, but they are not generally good.


During Black History Month I wanted to learn and understand more of the history of those who have been so discriminated against. Even though I knew much of what I heard, a new depth of pain for people came up. Key perspectives for me have been: 1) African Americans have been enslaved longer than they have been free in this country and 2) those around in 60s fighting against civil rights are still alive today. Black people are still being treated poorly because it has been so ingrained in our culture. I do see a dramatic difference in how we treat them, and yet I wouldn’t say that everyone in our country has the right perspective yet.


BUT they aren’t the only ones! Jews in Europe had horrible assumptions about them which made the atrocities against them during the WWII easier for the common Europeans to justify. Rich people treated horribly in Communist Russia. Christians captured by ISIS.WHEN WILL THIS END?


Truth is it end when we value ALL people. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Accepting the God-given differences, giving mercy to the inconveniences they bring (because everyone will be at some point or another), and pointing each other gracefully to truth. Black, white, yellow, red, purple. American, Mexican, Arab, African, European, Asian, Lilliputian. Hick, hillbillies and those “trashy” communities. City, suburban, ghetto inhabitants. Tiny unborn baby, playful children, dramatic teens, feisty 20-year-olds, matured adults, bed-ridden elderly. Until everyone in existence see every single person as valuable, we will not see the peace that we so desperately desire.


Can this happen? No. Because unbiased value is given by God alone.


“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.”
Psalm 139:13-14


"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17


“This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5


Creator God, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit can guide and lead us towards all truth and love about ourselves and others. In our flesh, people annoy and anger us even when we are at our most tolerant. We are not perfect like God is perfect. We are not generally good people – we are seen for our wrong until we ask Jesus to be our Lord and to forgive us for our sin.


When we follow Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and lead us, we will treat people the way we are suppose to. We will see people through God’s eyes and not our own. We will value people. Period!  ​

​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 

When your job involves people's lives, it's inevitable that you're going to deal with junk. I would say there are two different kinds of junk. There is the bad junk where people's personal sin keeps them from following God. Bad junk lashes out at others - like sitting in a discipleship appointment where the "disciplee" is defensive and blames you/ministry/the church etc. for the issues they haves. Not. Fun. At. All.

Then there is the good junk. It's those times of confession of sin. It's sharing your past full of sin done against you. It's sharing hurt so they can move forward in forgiveness. It's junk that is hard to hear, but you rejoice that it's in the light so healing can happen.

From my experience, I've seen LOTS of bad junk. Bad junk tends to come out easily because that's where trust is built or destroyed between "discipler" and "disciplee". So, in a way, bad junk can be good junk if dealt with correctly. All junk can be dealt with well if you make yourself a safe place.​

What does it mean to be a safe place? Being a safe place means that you are an approachable, uplifting person to share real life with. There are lots of friends and family members that people share normal life with - the part of our lives we're fine with sharing with everyone. Normal life would be school challenges, activities with friends, things taught at church - the stuff you post to Facebook or that you share with Uncle Bob at Christmas dinner. But REAL life stuff is usually not the stuff that people easily share. 

Sharing real life with others takes time, patience, endurance, and LOTS of good questions. Being a safe place is an investment of life, and not meant for the flakey or unavailable.

What kind of space do you create around you? Do you allow people into your life to ask you good, real, penetrating questions? Do you ask others good, real penetrating questions? When people share real life with you do treasure it and prayer for them through it, or do a little of the above and whole lot of talking to other people about their junk? Are you a safe place for friends, disciples, etc. to come to and be themselves?

​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 
​
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Why is it that the biggest-most important things to our hearts are the things that we (sometimes) hide? We have friends that know the littlest details of our lives, but don't know what our heart is yearning for most. 

I learned to ask a question this week that has flipped my relationships upside down: 

What's your biggest prayer right now?

I realized that there were friends who shocked me with their responses. We are in Christian community--how could I miss something like this?! 

I think it's because the way these things build up in our hearts. If you have a relationship with God, one that you truly pursue, you probably know what I'm talking about. It starts as a little desire and then slowly, over a lot of prayer, turns into a passion that can't be put out. Most of the time, it pushes our imagination and expectation of what God can do to the limit. 

That's why, for me, I'm not the first to share those parts of my heart. My biggest prayers are always where I want (I NEED) God to move most in my life. 

I asked some women that I'm close to what their biggest prayer currently is: 

"Um... that I will be bold and courageous, and do hard things. I want to be diligent in what God has called me to do by faith, but my comfort doesn't want me to."

"That my sister would come back to Jesus and her marriage."

"I'm expecting God to raise a generation of people who will change the world for His kingdom's sake." 

"Praying for strength for my family to endure when things get hard and for lost friends."

"I pray that God would bring my hometown to their knees in surrender to His love." 

"Hmmmm... :) Just clarity, peace, direction for some big life decisions coming up to do with my job, our family, etc..."

What about you, beloved? What is your biggest prayer right now? What is the yearning of your heart? What has God begun to prepare you for? God made you for a specific purpose, to play an unforgettable role in His kingdom. He's not waiting for you to be perfect, He's waiting for you to pray and step out in action. 


Pray big. Except big. God is so much bigger than any prayer we have on our hearts. 

​Jacque is the Missional Women Intern and a college student in Denver, CO who balances her time between trying to go to class and learning about His saving grace and perfect love as much as she can.  She is a twenty something, DIY attempting, Jesus loving, Denver living, small town rooted, Colorado sports fan.  She loves black coffee, long conversations and watching people do what God created them for. You can find her Christian Twenty Somethings blog at Desperately Dependent. 

When I was in seventh grade I was very outspoken and rather selfish

It's easy to think that if someone is in ministry there's never any friction among relationships. It's hard to remember that leader so and so is also human. But did you know that one of the main reasons people leave full time ministry is because of relational conflict. We live on this broken planet full of broken people. But we as believers have the Holy Spirit inside of us so

5 Things To Do When Someone's Frustrated You

1. Go to God. Take your heart to Him and tell Him how you feel. Then let it go, place it at His feet and give room for Him to work in your heart and thiers. Yield to Him; rely on His strength, clinging desperately to Him.
 
2. Pray for them... pray the hardest things for your little heart to pray... for God to bless them.

3. Let go. Set your heart on not getting offended at the little things. It is your glory to overlook an offense.

4. Consider your heart, for it is deceitful above all things. Humble yourself and take responsibility rather than taking blame. Honestly consider what they have said, receive the truth and throw out the things that aren't true.

5. Communicate. SAD/MAD- Share Motives, Ask Questions, Don't Assume. 

​Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 14 years serving with Master Plan Ministries where she is the Women's Development Coordinator. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, A Devotional Journey through Judges, and Discover God's Calling for Your Life. Most recently her resource for Bible studies, The Connect Cards was released by Cru Press. You can find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram, periscope, blab and her author site.

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How are you doing? I bet like me you are just plain weary and overwhelmingly sad. The world has gone mad over the last month or so. Violence and hatred seem to be here to stay, and I am scared to turn on the news. I am even more scared to leave my house. I no longer feel safe at soccer games or movie theaters or my favorite restaurant.
If I allow my thoughts to linger on the dark events in this broken world, I will live a life rooted in fear and doubt. But, I know that God has not given me a spirit of fear. He has given me a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. He has empowered me with His Holy Spirit to go out into all the world and share the Good News.

The Good News is still available and accessible. No one can rob me of my peace with God, and I must share of the hope that is within me. 

Yet, I must acknowledge that we are battling major strongholds. We face prejudice and injustice. We are fighting spiritual blindness and apathy. 

Our nation desperately needs reconciliation. But, reconciliation is not merely coming to a greater understanding and living in mutual harmony as citizens of earth. True reconciliation is a transforming work of the Spirit of God that is only made possible by the resurrection power of Christ who laid His life down on the cross to make a bridge for us to pass from death to life. 

I am called to be God’s ambassador of reconciliation. Mending what is broken must start with me. I must live a transformed life that points those in need of restoration to the One who truly sets us free.

5 Ways to Live Out Biblical Reconciliation

• Keep short accounts: Don’t hold grudges. Speak the truth in love and work toward harmony.

”Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

• Lean toward grace: Display meekness and forgive readily.

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14).

• Reject self-sufficiency: Acknowledge your own transgressions and turn from selfishness to surrender and service. We do life best when we are walking together and helping each other carry the load. 

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

• Stay on your knees: Pray together for God’s help in reestablishing mutual concession.

In Philippians 3, right after entreating Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord, Paul encouraged the church to pray: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:4-9).

• Walk in peace: Never let bitterness take root in your heart. Choose to love even if it’s hard.    

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).
 
Reconciliation is possible. Christ gave His life to ensure that we would not have to live a life of discord and defeat. Today, we can choose to extend God’s reconciliation to others. We can walk in love and point others to the Truth the will truly set them free. 
​ 

​Lyli Dunbar loves teaching.  For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room.  She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on her personal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Dear High School Graduate, 

Congratulations! You did it!

Remember the sounds of your high school hallways, remember the teacher that everyone loved, remember your quarterback, try to remember it all. Someday you'll be sitting on a mountain, a back porch or drinking your morning cup of coffee looking back on your life. This moment will surely be part of it. 

I'm not insanely wise. I haven't wrote a book. But I did just go through what you're going through. I'm a Junior in college and I want to list out a few things people told me and I'm glad they did, and somethings no one tells you but they should. 

1. Either be Responsible or do Something Memorable: 
You're going to get a lot of money. Be responsible and use that money in college OR do something awesome. Plan a trip and go make the"kids, one time my friends and I..." memories. If you decide to be responsible, live that out. Don't save your money for college just to blow it on Chipotle in the first year away from home. 

2. Question Yourself Constantly: 
Why do you do the things you do? Why don't you do them differently? Do you love others? Are you a good friend? 
Don't be one of those people that goes with the flow so much that they loose independent thought. Don't be an echo. They don't know who they are or what they believe. Questioning yourself grows confidence in who you really are. 

3. Be Weary of the Partier:
I grew up around beers and parties. Believe me, I know what it is like.  I can't stop you from going to parties, you're an adult now. I can, however, remind you of this, if you drink and party never allow it to be the most interesting thing about yourself. I can't tell you how many friends I've passed up on because their form of conversation was how much they had to drink the night before. You're smarter than that. Have a conversation about meaningful things. And live life outside the dorm room parties--there's a lot of world go see it. 

4. GET. INVOLVED. 
Best decision I've ever made. I fully recommend that you get involved in your local campus ministry, but any club will do. There is something special about being surrounded by people who find the same thing interesting that you do. If you join a ministry, I promise that you'll grow like crazy. You'll begin to seek answers for questions that you didn't even know you had. You'll learn how to become a friend to God and that's pretty cool. 

5. Meet ALL the People: 
 The first two weeks are designed to help you meet people. Do that as effectively as possible. Everyone is just out of high school and everyone is looking to meet friends. They want to talk to you. Don't be shy. Do the activities student government sets up. And meet as many people as you can, before it is too late. 

I'm sure you're not shocked to hear that high school is not the best time of your life, no matter what they say. I like college, but I'm not sure I'll say that about this season of life either. You're gonna do great, friend! Don't stress. Take it one day at a time and trust God with the wonderful plan He has for your life.

​Jacque is the Missional Women Intern and a college student in Denver, CO who balances her time between trying to go to class and learning about His saving grace and perfect love as much as she can.  She is a twenty something, DIY attempting, Jesus loving, Denver living, small town rooted, Colorado sports fan.  She loves black coffee, long conversations and watching people do what God created them for. You can find her Christian Twenty Somethings blog at Desperately Dependent. 

This video is amazing! No wait... AMAZING! Have you seen it? Well, if not, you will probably wonder why you are watching this most of the video but stick it out because by the end, you will be amazed. 

Did you guys catch the crocodile!? Have you seen anything like that!?
This crazy scene in creation gives us a very clear picture of what believers in Christ need to be like. What a picture of how we have got to fight for each other. The enemy wants to single us out, isolate us and devour us. And not only us but our brothers and sisters in Christ too. He wants to keep us, and them from being effective and contributing the unique gifting they have to offer toward the Great Commission for God's glory. 

Just like the herd, we have to be willing to get out of our comfort zones and step into dangerous places to defend and protect each other. 

The world will know Jesus is God by our love for one another. That is flat out mind blowing and convicting. By our love, our unselfishly choosing for another's highest good, a non-believing world will know Jesus is Lord. We need to stand with each other and fight for each other even if we disagree on non-essential issues. It calls for us to believe the best about others and see them through the righteousness of Christ, the way the Lord sees us. We need to fight for and honor each other not because they "deserve" it but because that is what the Lord does for us. We need to love because God loved us first.

And this love is only possible through the strength and enablement of the Holy Spirit. Love is a fruit of the Spirit, not a fruit of trying real hard. Therefore love is a fruit of yielding. Here's a video making this practical.


When was a time you've seen a believer defend and fight for another believer even if they didn't totally agree with the person? How did it make you feel/think?

What believer in your life is like the baby water buffalo? 

How can you fight for them?

This post is part of a series called Creation Revealing the Glory of God. Catch the rest of the posts below.
Sound; From Stars to Snowflakes
Blueberries from Blossoms 
Star-Breathing God
Solar Eclipse
Telomerase & the Carrier Protein
Star-Nosed Mole  
Rejection  
Deep Sea Creatures 
Hard-Wired for God
Glow Worms
Okapi
Divine Proportion  
Pruning 

Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 14 years serving with Master Plan Ministries where she is the Women's Development Coordinator. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, A Devotional Journey through Judges, and Discover God's Calling for Your Life. Most recently her resource for Bible studies, The Connect Cards was released by Cru Press. You can find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram, periscope, blab and her author site.

“She was mean to me”, “They excluded me”, “He violated me”.  Haven't we all heard them...the excuses people use to justify building walls around themselves? 
And yet it is clear, those who love much, will have to overcome offense.

I remember when a group of people set me up to exploit me. I loved them deeply, but they purposely exposed, connived, and betrayed me. I was hurt, deeply. 

Still, every grudge we hold is like taking a brick and placing it between us and the other person. 

As time goes on, offenses can cause us to build an entire fortress around ourselves, without us even realizing it.

Proverbs 18:19 tells us, “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.”

In Bible times, walls were common. They existed around cities and groups of people. Another name for these fortresses is, “defensive walls”. 

And yet, haven't we all gotten “defensive” when another has hurt us; put up walls, placed bricks, put up barriers in hopes to protect ourselves? 

As Missional Women, we can't afford to get defensive, let walls of offense be built up between us and those we are ministering to, if we want to reach the nations. 

Scripture says, offense is like a stumbling block, or the stick holding up a trap. When tapped, it imprisons us. 

But, let's not take the bait. 

Matthew 24:10-12 says in the last days many will be offended, betray and hate each other. Yet, there are ways we can live with unoffendable hearts. 

1. Forgive Others Words: Ecclesiastes 7:21 says, “Do not take to heart all the things people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.” Too often we unnecessarily ruminate on negative dialogue, allowing the seed of offense to plant somewhere deep in our conscience. But, by remembering we also have unknowingly said things that have hurt others, we can forgive words, and give grace, removing bricks of offense before they're put into place.
2. Rid ourselves from guilt and sin: Titus 1:15 tells us, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Offense in Scripture is often connected with guilt and sin. Offense also comes from jealousy, a self-grandiose perception of ourselves, or fighting for our own rights as individuals. (James 3:16) Yet, we can forgive when we stop pointing fingers, and first make sure our conscience is clean, living pure and with purpose, to where even the greatest offenses can't stick to us. No one can be a stumbling block unless we let them.
3. Keep moving: Nothing will stop the progression of the gospel faster than offense. Offense closes churches, hearts, stops church-attendance, hinders love from flowing through us. Proverbs 19:11 tells us, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” What if we ran harder, loved stronger, pressed in deeper every time opposition came? How might His glory shine brighter if we overlooked an offense and simply kept running this race?
4. Let love smother pain: The goal of the enemy is make our hurt, pain, sadness, fear, and frustration, be the focus of our energy. But God says,“love is not easily offended”, (1 Cor 13:5), “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8)“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [be] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” (Eph 4:8). What if we loved so radically, offense had no air to breathe in? What if we lived soaked in mercy, love reigned more than bitterness?
5. Let Him be our defense. Abuse or malicious treatment is never o.k. Sometimes, God calls us to the safest thing which is to love people from a distance. But even then, we can handle offense with grace, trusting He is our defender, refuge and safe place. (Prov 91) All great works come not by might, or by power, but by His Spirit. (Zack 4:6) And we can trust Him to defend us when we let Him be our shield and fortress. 
   
   

Jericho had a 12-15 feet high retaining wall holding up a 6 foot wide and 20-26 foot high mudbrick wall around it. A 46 feet wall was also encamped around Jericho. Yet, it wasn't by force, the Israelite's took Jericho. 

When we give him our hurt, He can tare down every wall in us too, following Jesus model on the cross, “Lord forgive them, for the know not what they do”. (Luke 23:34)

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  ​

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.