A More Practical Need
A Ministry of Helps
We are called to live out our faith in community, which includes coming alongside others in tangible expressions of love and support. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul mentions the spiritual gift of helps. The word translated “helps” means literally “to relieve, succor, participate in, and/or support.” The New Testament model of Christianity bids us to aid or render assistance to others in the church with compassion and grace.
Read one widow’s perspective as she shares on the urgency of this need by relating her experience through the years.
Practical Ways to Help the Widowed - Year Round
Home Maintenance and Cleaning:
Inside: Clean bathrooms, vacuum, sweep, mop, laundry, wash windows, change light bulbs, check appliances, painting, change furnace filter, home repairs (inside and out).
Outside: Help get trash to/from the curb.
Car Maintenance: Clean inside and out, check tires, brakes, lights, wipers, fluids (including gas), suggest a reputable business where they can go for repairs and inspection.
Special Holidays: In addition to the major holidays, acknowledge the other more personal holidays like their birthday, wedding anniversary, anniversary of spouse’s passing, Valentine’s Day, and Pastor Appreciation Day (if they were in ministry). Spend time with them, send a card, bring flowers and chocolates, take them to their favorite restaurant, invite them to picnics and special holiday gatherings.
Technical Support: TV setup, TV remote, computer, internet, phone, etc.
Home Visits: When visiting their home: check on their overall health such as if they are taking medications, are they in need of medication, or do they need to see a doctor? Offer to go with them to doctor appointments. Check food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc.
Church Events: Pick them up for church, sit with them at church, photo booth (invite them to join a group photo). Give them responsibility for something they are good at. Look for ways to celebrate their victories.
Other Ideas: Bake cookies, watch a movie, play games, take them shopping, bring your children for visits, drop off groceries, go for short walks, take car rides to their favorite places, front porch visits, take them out to their favorite restaurant, make a fun craft, read to them, plan a special day trip, go for ice cream, invite them to a tourist event in the area, be a trustworthy friend they can turn to when needing to make an important decision.
Practical Ways to Help the Widowed - By Season
SPRING
Inside: Spring cleaning
Outside: Repair winter damages, plant flowers, garden bed clean-up, trim shrubs, mow lawn.
Special Holidays: Invite them to your family gatherings, include in group photos.
SUMMER
Inside: Service air conditioner, place any window air conditioners in windows, check on them during heat waves.
Outside: Plant flowers, pull weeds, trim shrubs and branches, mow lawn, edge sidewalk, painting, clean gutters, spread mulch.
Special Holidays: Invite them to your family gatherings, include in group photos.
FALL
Inside: Remove any window air conditioners from windows, change smoke detector batteries.
Outside: Rake leaves, pull weeds, garden bed clean-up, mow lawn, prep lawn mower for winter.
Special Holidays: Invite them to your family gatherings, include in group photos.
Other Ideas: Go on a drive to look at fall foliage.
WINTER
Inside: Service heating system, winterize their home, check on them during cold snaps.
Outside: Snow and ice removal.
Special Holidays: Bake holiday cookies together (what is one of their favorite recipes?), decorate with lights, put up a small tree, wreath for the door (help take them down after Christmas), invite them to your family gatherings, include in group photos, sing Christmas carols at their home, Secret Santa.
Other Ideas: Do they need a winter coat?
