Four Ways to Serve Those in Need

My family has been on the receiving end of loving service a lot lately. One of the main reasons we have been able to get through our trials over the past few years has been because of our earthly angels- otherwise known as our family, friends, and neighbors.

I am  so grateful for the loving support from the people in my life. I have learned so much from the wonderful, Christ-like examples others  have been to my family.

When hard times affect our loved ones,  it can be hard to know how to help them most. Because of the people who have blessed our lives, I have gained a greater perspective on what it means to serve others in their time of need.

Last year my husband’s father was diagnosed with cancer and within three months he  passed away at the age of 63. This was extremely devastating for the entire family. It came as a shock to many who knew and loved my wonderful father-in-law. Along with grieving his loss, we also experienced two rounds of failed In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) around the same time.  Those two  trials were very hard, but the love we received from others lightened our sorrows and filled our hearts with love.

It can be difficult to know how to serve someone who is suffering, so I would like to share some ways that helped me most.  While everyone has different trials, I know that feeling loved by others no matter what they’re going through- helps more than anything.

1.Listen

The best thing someone told me was that they were there to listen when I was ready. This helped me feel like I didn’t need to talk right away or be forced into a conversation that I wasn’t ready for. Letting a person know you are there to listen and willing to talk to them on their terms is so important. It shows you care and are thinking of them. At the same time it takes off the added pressure of needing to talk in that moment. With that said, asking someone if they would like to talk about it can also be helpful,  being able to open up when someone asks can be just as needed.

2. Act

While telling someone “let me know if you need anything” is a wonderful gesture,  most often than not, a person won’t reach out and ask for service.  It can be so hard to accept service and it is so easy to tell someone you don’t need dinner or help– especially when you need it most. However, I have learned that as important as it is for me to serve others, it is also important to let others experience the blessings that come with serving me. I had friends who insisted on ordering us dinner or  just showed up on our door step with meals.  Other ideas include offering to take their kids for a play date or carpool to take their children to school or other extracurricular activities. Depending on the season, mowing a neighbor’s lawn, weeding a flower garden or shoveling their walk could really help someone who is in the midst of a trial. Each situation is different, and it can be a little scary to just do something without  consent. However, by reaching out you will not only be blessing others, you will be blessed as well.

3. Gifts

For many, their love language is gift giving. Often we cannot take away the pains and sadness of our loved ones but giving gifts is something that helps others feel like they are doing something to help. After my father-in-law passed away, families in our neighborhood each purchased a gift card to give to us and presented them hole punched and hooked on a metal ring. We didn’t realize it, but having options of going out to eat, or to the movies when we were feeling so sad was so beneficial to our healing processes. For weeks after our failed rounds of IVF we would come home to  flowers, treats, gift cards, my favorite soda, and homemade bread on our doorstep. We were “heart attacked” with paper hearts stuck on Popsicle sticks with encouraging notes on them. We received “boxes of sunshine” where someone filled a bag or box with all things yellow and bright, such as gum, candles, candy, lotion and nail polish. Many friends gave us books with heartfelt messages in them, or framed pictures of scripture or comforting quotes. All those gifts meant so much to us and helped us know we were not alone. Other ideas  could be a journal, a framed picture of Christ, or a relaxing bubble bath.

4. Love

While giving gifts or providing meals can be a great way to serve someone, sometimes it is not possible due to circumstances, distance, or time. The biggest way you can serve others is to love them and tell them you are thinking about them. You can do this by calling, sending a text message or a card. You can show love by giving a hug, a  smile, a compliment and just being extra kind. When you tell someone that you will pray for them, faithfully do it and know prayers truly help. Those acts of love can go a long way and can make all the difference to someone who is struggling.

The Lord will help you know how to serve others  if you are willing to listen. You can pray for inspiration and guidance as you desire to help your loved ones who are in the throws of affliction, big or small. Focusing on someone else also helps us forget about our own trials and tribulations.

I recently had an experience where I was feeling really down and sad, and honestly I was feeling quite sorry for myself. I decided to stop by a friends house whose  father had recently passed away  to drop off a small gift. As I walked back to my car that day  I felt so much happier.  I physically felt lighter  as if the dark doom and gloom I had been experiencing earlier was taken away. I know with all my heart it was because I took the time to  reach out and serve someone else.

 

As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness– Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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When we serve others, we are serving God. By showing our obedience and love to our Heavenly Father we will be happier, and we will be blessed. When you feel prompted to help someone, I encourage you to act on it. Whether it is reaching out by text, gift, or by simply offering your condolences. I have learned that it never hurts to do something nice and to be a little kinder.

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 We have included in this post a free downloadable print  of a quote from Henry B. Eyring’s conference talk  The Comforter.

Please click on the image below to download and print out to use as a gift to someone you love who may need the lift.

 

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