Review: Healing Hearts with Helping Hands by Lorrie Flem

How many times have you wanted to reach out to someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one and just can't decide how, or exactly what to say or even when to approach them? Well, this latest book by Eternal Encouragement's Lorrie Flem, Healing Hearts with Helping Hands, it the perfect answer to all of these questions and more! 

Lorrie will take you through all of the possibilities available to you, while discussing the proper etiquette all along the way. This book will provide you with terrific ideas for serving others, relevant to many different situations, as well as helping you to know just the right words say or not to say.

 Lorrie sheds a new light on many of the "go to" sentiments that everyone seems to say when consoling someone in pain and explains why these may come across as insincere. She also offers suggestions of more appropriate things to say and reminds the reader that the importance isn't always in what they said but that they are there to listen.

This book is full of ideas, recipes, card sentiments and meal planning, that make reaching out less of a chore and more of a blessing for both yourself and the recipient.

Those of you who follow this blog have probably already read the post I wrote about this several weeks ago, but I feel it fits well here and there may be someone new reading today who needs to hear it.

I recently broke my arm and have had a pretty difficult time accepting the limitations it has caused me. My church family has stepped in and cared for myself and my family in ways I could have never imagined. One evening, when speaking with a very special friend about how uncomfortable it was to be on the receiving end of such amazing gifts she sweetly reminded me not to rob other of the blessing of being able to help my family and I. I had never thought of it that way, but it's so true. No matter how awkward we may feel bringing a meal to a family or offering a shoulder to a recently widowed friend, once we leave, though our hearts may be grieving for those we love, they are also full of joy for the service we were able to give in God's name.     

This book has given me a new perspective on doing just that, reaching out to others and serving them in the name of the Lord. It has taught me how to simplify and really nurture the soul of those I love in a time when that's really all they need. 

You can grab this book for your Kindle at Amazon for just $.99 May 1st through the 3rd here. If you don't wanna wait it's still a terrific buy at just $3.99 regular price!

Don't have a Kindle? That's ok, check out how you can still get this and other eBooks right here. 

Check out Eternal Encouragement Magazine for great advice on being a better wife, mother, homemaker, friend and more, all from a Christian perspective!

 

Where are your manners?

This is my Braydon! I talk about him often on here because... well, let's face it... my world revolves around him. LOL 

 

He's handsome,

 goofy,

 ornery,

 and down right silly!

And I am steady finding these random streams of photos in my phone that he took when I wasn't looking! These are just a few, I promise there are TONS!

Well, this post is not a run down of ALL his attributes, today I just wanna talk about one... his manners. Particularly his manners in public. I have always had very high expectations for how he interacts with adults, whether they be people he knows, or perfect strangers. One thing he is ALWAYS doing is holding the door for people. Many times I will get all the way to the car before I realize he is still holding the door open for droves of patrons as they file in an out of an establishment. 

NOTE: This is where I will be climbing onto my soapbox and it will very likely not be pretty, so I will understand if you need to turn away...

First of all let me say my sweet little boy has been raised not to expect anything in return for his kind gestures. He knows that manners are not an option in this house AND that he was created in the image of his Lord. That kindness to strangers is a terrific way to show them God's love. So, this rant is really for my sake more than his!

I watch him there, smiling sweetly as he selflessly stands there holding the door for as long as he's needed, never complaining or groaning at the endless masses of people who move past him as if he's not even there. I watch as these people shuffle by without so much as a thank you. Our world today had become such a selfish place, where people are in too much of a hurry to politely comment to an 11 year old boy who is so excited to be of service.

I watch all of this and I pray for my son. I pray that he doesn't become as jaded to the kindnesses of the world as the people who pass him by with no regard. I pray that he doesn't grow weary of serving others. I pray that his sweet spirit will not be broken by the carelessness of the world around him!

So, as I shake my virtual finger at those of you who forget to encourage our youth, I ask for you to be more aware! Pay more attention to the children around you and tell them when they've done a good job! Pat them on the back and thank them... OFTEN!