“Remember your grieving person for many months to come, and don’t be afraid to bring up the conversation. Be that person who shows up. Be that person who comforts.”
Valentine’s Day can be a challenge for all who’ve lost a loved one, but it can be especially difficult for widows. This day which has always been spent in a certain way, with a particular someone is now particularly different. It amplifies the fact that their special someone is not there. However, you can help a widow through Valentine’s Day.
Galatians 6:2 exhorts us to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
How Can You Help a Widow Through Valentine’s Day?
You can be there for him. I know it sounds overly simple doesn’t it. Sit there beside her. Listen to her talk. Allow him or her to cry. Enjoy a meal together. But, what happens when you can’t be there in their presence? What happens after the cry, after the meal? Keep reading to see what you can do.
5 Practical Ways to Continue to LOVE a Widow Through Valentine’s Day
- Pray for him or her.
- Send flowers and/or candy.
- Provide them with a list of helpful activities they can do themselves.
- Send a card.
- Remember him/her for months to come.
Pray for the Widow You are Blessing
Your prayers matter. God hears them and they make a difference. Pray for your dear friend. Here are some things you can pray:
Pray that they receive God’s comfort.
Pray that they have faith for God’s provision.
Pray that they accept God’s love.
Finally, pray that they be strengthened, as they endure this time, growing in patience and perseverance.
Send Flowers or Candy to a Widow on Valentine’s Day
Sometimes, we just want to know that someone was thinking about us. That’s no different for a widow. They want to be seen, heard, loved. Often times, there’s a particular type of loneliness from not being loved in the same way or capacity in which we were loved by our deceased loved one. These feelings can send us into a spiral.
While it is not your job, nor position, to combat these emotions, sending flowers and/or candy to a widow on Valentine’s Day can send a special kind of comfort. In addition, such a gesture can conjure up feelings of being known, loved, and cherished. What every person wants.
Provide your Grieving Person with Helpful Activities that Empower them
Grief can leave a person feeling helpless. They may feel overcome with sadness and feel as though there’s nothing they have left to bring to the world. Many times, they begin to feel as though they are a burden; the one always needing to be cheered up, the person who always brings the party down.
When engaging with a widow that feels this way, it may be helpful to empower them by giving them something meaningful they can do which will impact someone else. I’ve included five inspirational activities that may help them through their Valentine’s grief as they walk beside others. Feel free to check them out.
Send a Card or Several Cards to the Widow You’re Looking Out For
It’s so easy to forget. Time flies when you’re not the one grieving. Before you know it, it’s been three, four, six months. But, to the person missing their loved one, every morning is a new reminder that they’ll be living their next waking hours without their loved one. The days stretch out and moments feel like hours lived in slow motion.
Don’t forget your friend, neighbor, co-worker, or acquaintance. You don’t have to be best friends to walk beside someone who’s hurting. You may be the only one doing so. Be proactive. Stock up on cards. If you’re mailing them, address ten cards in advance, add stamps, and be prepared to drop them in the mail on a consistent basis. These thoughtful cards will be remembered for years to come and they’re an easy way to remind someone that they are not forgotten. I generally purchase several boxes of cards in advance from DaySpring. They’re how I let others know I’m thinking about them. You can think about them, but they need to know. They need to know someone’s walking beside them.
Always, Remember your Grieving Person for Many Months to Come
Prayers, cards, and candy never go out of style. They’re always welcome… along with a visit every now and then. Remember your grieving person for many months to come, and don’t be afraid to bring up the conversation. Be that person who shows up. Be that person who comforts. Mark your calendar with the death anniversary and commit to remembering, showing up, and ensuring your person you remember. Remembering is half the battle.
Friend, thanks in advance for being somebody’s someone. Thanks for standing in the gap and carrying your person’s burdens.
Be Blessed,
Rachel
© Rachel Blado www.OnTheWayToWhereYoureGoing.com All Rights Reserved.
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