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Thoughtful Gestures for the Guys in our Life OCTOBER 26, 2021 / KAREN MULDER / 
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to minister to many friends and family members who have been suffering. It's one of my passions and the main reason for my caregiving ministry. Everyone has struggles at some point in their lives - the young, old, healthy, sick, male or female. Many men in our society have been conditioned to "suffer in silence" so oftentimes, we may fail to see their pain. That's why I make it a point to include specific caregiving ideas for men.
Here are my "Top 10" ways to care for the guys in our world who might need an extra "pick me up."
Ways to Care When He is Under the Weather
When a friend or family member is under the weather, there are so many ways to help out. Whether your guy family member or friend has a planned surgery, an extended illness or unexpected hospital stay, consider one of these ways to show you care.
Help with the chores. Offer to do lawn work or other "handyman" type chores while your loved one is recuperating. You can also hire a teen to do so and pay for the services.
Feed the family. This site has so many recipes to choose from! I'm a big fan of delivering soup when someone needs a little extra care. Here are some great soup recipes from this site. Also, if cooking isn't your "thing" you can also send gift cards to a local restaurant or arrange to have food delivered directly to the family.
Make a care kit. Create a "hospital care kit" with items such as a fleece blanket decorated with his favorite sports team, lip balm for dry hospital air, a notepad for recording doctor's notes and a magazine related to his favorite hobby or sport.
Things to Say and Do When He is Grieving
All people grieve differently. So, there is no "correct" formula for what to say or do. Even if you're not quite sure what to do, it is important that you reach out to your suffering friend. My bereaved friends have told me that after the first few weeks of their loss, friends tend to fade away, but the grief is still very much there. Here are a few suggestions for how to care for the bereaved.
Go for a walk. Fresh air and exercise can be a balm to the wounded heart.
Listen. One of our ministry's Caregiving Basics is "listen" because grief needs to be witnessed. Grief is not a problem to be "fixed." Rather, it's a journey that is unique to each individual. Sometimes, silence is the best policy.
Offer acknowledgement. Along with listening, you can be a wonderful friend by acknowledging their pain. Keep it simple. Try saying, "I can see this hurts," "I'm so sorry this happened to you" or "I care. So, if you want to talk about it, I'm here."
Check in often. Mark your calendar and then make a commitment to send a text or make a phone call to your friend every few weeks. It's those little gestures that mean so much to those who are suffering.
Honoring Him on His Special Days
Men enjoy gifts and thoughtful gestures just as much as women do. Special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries of events, and Father's Day provide the perfect reason for you to reach out and show you care. Here are my favorite ways to show the guys in my life that I value them.
Breakfast in bed. We often think of breakfast in bed for moms on Mother's Day, but I am betting that breakfast in bed for dads would surprise and please them. It doesn't have to be fancy. If he has young kids, they can get involved by making a simple breakfast or drawing a card to place alongside the breakfast tray.
Spend time together. Sometimes, it's the "gift of time" that is most precious to the recipient. If you know a man who is lonely, offer to spend time together. If he's handy, offer to work with him on a home improvement project. Or take in a favorite sporting event (or watch one together on TV.) Many men enjoy the camaraderie of other men, so perhaps you could organize a weekly coffee time or card game.
Bring him a treat. As the saying goes, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." There is something extra fun about a surprise, so consider creating a nonperishable treat that you can leave on his porch or doorstep with a note that says, "Thinking of you and wishing you a blessed day." Here is a simple treat that you can make:
World's Best Popcorn Mix
Instructions
Enjoy!! We dare you to try just one handful.
As you can see from this list, there are so many ways to care for a guy who is feeling low. It doesn't take a lot of time to show you care; and the recipient of your actions will be so very grateful.
 About the author: Karen Mulder is founder of Wisdom of the Wounded, a ministry that inspires and equips others to care for the suffering during life's difficulties.
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Welcome! We're thrilled you stopped by. Our own joys and sorrows have taught us that a well-timed meal delivered by a friend is one of the best gifts imaginable. In this space, we share our favorite recipes to take to friends, meal-taking tips, and other ways to care for those who are dear to you. Helpful Posts
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