Don't stress about saying or doing the RIGHT thing

Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessings at the appropriate time.

Galatians 6:9

If you are uncomfortable, you're probably doing the right thing! No one is comfortable sitting with a dying family member or spending time with a friend whose child died. It's completely unnatural. The comfortable thing to do is sit home and make excuses to yourself why you didn't do anything. So, be uncomfortable and DO SOMETHING!

Why -

We've been told dozens and dozens of times by people that they didn't know what to do so they didn't do anything. Or, they were afraid to say the wrong thing so they didn't talk to us. Honestly, some people do say stupid things and it's not helpful (check back tomorrow for that). But it's better to say the wrong thing than to say nothing. We needed people to support us and were willing to risk that they would say the wrong thing. It's so painful to be invisible.

One year later, the majority of people still walk by me everyday and don't say a word. They just pretend that they don't see me. It caused me to be so insecure. People need to know that they don't have to FIX it. There's no pressure to do the perfect thing that will make everything all better. That's absolutely impossible. Just BE there for people. Listen to them. Ask them what helps and what doesn't. Say "hi" or "it's good to see you" when you run into them. Call and email regularly. Talk, sit silently, watch a movie. It doesn't matter. If your heart is in the right place, it's about helping them survive -- plain and simple.