Rating: 
Summary: A Treasure, A Gem, A Jewel...Priceless!
Review: This book satisfies a thirst many of us do not even realize we have! Have you ever avoided and older relative because they had a terminal illness and you just didn't know what to say to them? Have you ever had a friend abuse their spouse or child or an elder, and you did not know how to help not only the victim but also the abuser? Have you known someone who suffered a miscarriage but had a hard time relating to their situation? Have you had a pet die and wished that more people could understand how deeply you grieve? This book truly offers real help for these times.
The book is VERY easy to read, divided into short mini-chapters titled "Chronic Illness", "Loss of a Pet", etc., so it's easy to quickly refer back to. And each chapter is divided into even smaller sections: What Not to Say, What to Say, What you can do to Help, What you wish people understood, What you can write in a card, etc. It is very easy and inspiring to pick up anytime and read. What's more, the suggestions offered come from people who have actually experienced the hurt, and they tell what people said and did that helped them or else what was unhelpful or possibly even more hurtful.
The suggestions offered are easily accessible, very real-life, do-able things you can do to help others. So go ahead and enjoy those times with your ailing relative; go ahead and be there for your friend with the miscarriage; go ahead and speak to the abuser rather than sweeping it all under the rug. Reach out into your community and really BE a neighbor and a friend. Now you have the tools to help you do it right, to give you confidence that you actually CAN help.
The book also contains some recipes of easy to fix meals you can carry over to peoples' houses in times of grief, and offers suggestions on ways to package the food to make mealtimes one less burden for the bereaved.
Thank you Lauren Biggs for this invaluable one-of-a-kind treasure. This is a topic no one is usually able to teach us, espeically in today's world.
Rating:
Summary: So Helpful!
Review: This is the book we've all been waiting for - even if we didn't know it. If you've ever felt like a klutz when someone was ill or hurting, Lauren Littauer Briggs comes to our help. With specific suggestions she addresses loss by death, suicide, rebellious children, even a beloved pet. Moving, loss of job, elderly parents, loss of a home, children with special needs....on and on, Lauren tells us what NOT to do and say, as well as what we could do and should say. Suggestions for thoughtful gifts and a chapter of recipes round out this wonderfully written book. Who needs this book? Start with yourself, then make it a loving gift to any Christian anywhere, the secretary of any business, any church leader, any community leader, any teacher, or speaker. The Art of Helping: What To Say and Do When Someone is Hurting, RiverOak Publishers.
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