When tragedy strikes, it can feel like our world is coming to an end. It can feel completely hopeless and broken — until you feel the love surrounding you in your time of need. What does that look like?
A text from a friend.
A call from a family member.
A meal prepared for your family.
An unexpected visit and hug.
A journal.
A prayer.
I’ve learned over the years that it’s more important to reach out and take action when you feel it in the moment, instead of waiting until the perfect time or when you’re more prepared. When God puts it on your heart to take action, let’s go! Don’t wait. Send the text, make the call, drop off the meal. As Bob Goff, one of my favorite authors, says, “Love doesn’t wait; love just does.”
“In the end, love doesn’t just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.”
–Bob Goff
Here are some things that have been helpful to our family during a time of need.
A Bag of Snacks
When one of our family members was in the ICU, a friend brought a bag of snacks and drinks for our family because we were at the hospital around the clock. It was such a blessing for us. Now, I pay it forward and do the same when my friends are in a similar situation.
What’s in the bag:
- peanut butter crackers
- cheese crackers
- chips
- cookies
- chocolate
- fruit snacks
- small electrolyte drinks
- small waters
Get single-serving packages so everyone can just grab a pack and go, and everything stays sanitary. Another tip, no fresh fruit (I know, ironic). Hospitals typically don’t allow fresh fruit or vegetables in the ICU.
The Power of Prayer
One of the most powerful things I’ve ever received was the prayers from my friends. Instead of just praying the prayer, they would text it to me as they prayed. Wow. That’s powerful. It would bring tears to my eyes every single time, overwhelmed with gratitude.
Hospital Journal
When a loved one was in the ICU, my sister-in-law brought me a journal. At the time, I wasn’t one for journaling, but it was incredibly therapeutic while I was sitting alone in a waiting room or hospital room. It gave me an outlet to write down my feelings, to take notes from a visit with the doctors, and write messages and prayers for my loved one in the ICU.
A Meal Train
Coordinating a meal train for friends is now easier than ever with mealtrain.com. You can add a family photo, write a brief explanation of what happened, and set a schedule for meals to be dropped off.
Pro Tips:
- Schedule meals to be dropped off 3–4 days a week. I like Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This way, the family isn’t inundated with a surplus of food, creating another headache for them to battle.
- Leave a large cooler at the family’s front door. Then friends can drop off the meal in the cooler without the family needing to coordinate someone being home.
- Bring meals in disposable containers or containers the family can keep. They don’t need to worry about washing and returning dishes. The goal of the meal train is to make things easier for them.
- Include a note with warming/serving instructions. Extra credit if you leave a sweet note or card, too.
- If you know their favorite beverage or treat, include that with your drop-off.
“Quit waiting for a plan. Just go love everybody.”
–Bob Goff
