The Blessing of People Who Care.

How do people make it in this life when they keep people at arm’s length?  Why have some bought into the lie that, “I don’t need any more friends”?  Or how can somebody have thousands of online “friends” without having any real friends?  Thankfully, I will never know because the Lord has flooded my family with people who care.  It was evident to us well before Carrie’s diagnosis in March 2023, and it has been amplified since then up to present day.

I remember within days of us sharing her diagnosis with our church family, they organized a prayer vigil for her.  That night I spent several hours talking and praying with many wonderful friends.  One dear gentleman who was there was struggling through his own cancer treatment.  I greeted him and said I was going to pray over him, and he politely said, “Tonight is about your sweet wife, not me”.  You can be sure; I prayed over him!

After we got home from that initial hospital stay, and Carrie was about to begin chemo, some friends set up a meal train for us.  It was just me and Carrie at the time, and I can usually fend for myself, so I was reluctant at first, but someone instructed me that “people care and they just want to help”.  So, I gratefully accepted the meal train, not knowing that it would continue for the next 4 months!  That’s a looong train…and I don’t think I’ve eaten better. 😊

Over the last 3 years my family has been on the receiving end of thousands of people who care…and literally, from around the world.  Video messages from friends in Cambodia, Africa, and the Philippines whose churches were praying for us.  A hundred ministry friends calling or texting to check-in or to offer their prayers.  Several good friends who came to the house to sit with Carrie so I could take a break.  Others who would come to pray over her.  

Time would fail me, but oh how I wish I could call the hundreds of people by name who have blessed and encouraged us!  Here are but a few:

• The Legacy church staff – they kept the church moving forward for several months while I was in and out with Carrie.  Then, when she passed, they kicked into high gear and we were able, because of their planning, to have the viewing and funeral 2 days later.

• The Legacy family – hundreds of cards & calls; more food, even lawncare; and so many wonderful hugs offered in love.  Many jumped in and became part of Carrie’s celebration of life.  I remember from the receiving line, many came up and with tears in their eyes simply said, “I have no words” and they hugged me.  This is called the ministry of presence…and how valuable it is!  Just taking time to show up and offer a hug means the world; and so many continue it to this day.

• The ministry of presence extended throughout the viewing and funeral as more than 1100people drove in, came by, or helped out just because they care.

• And, finally, the Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful biological family – walking beside me & Carrie, John & Abby, every step of the way!  

What would life be like without people who care?  Thankfully I will never know!

Let me encourage you not to neglect the ministry of presence!  Many people avoid hospitals, viewings, and funerals because they “don’t know what to say”.  Take it from someone who has been on that side of it – you don’t have to “say” anything.  Your presence and your hug says it all!

If you have a testimony about people who care, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!