It all started with Penny and her bake sale money.

Penny had been saving up and decided she wanted to spend some of her hard-earned cash on mini figurines. And by mini figurines, I mean the tiny little things that seem to multiply in our house when no one is looking. She already has approximately one million of them, give or take a few hundred, but apparently, her collection was missing something very important.

I told her she didn’t need more. She already had plenty, and perhaps her money could be put toward something else.

And then, because motherhood has a funny way of holding up a mirror when you least expect it, I looked around my own room.

The collections. The clothes I rarely wear. The things I bought because they were cute, useful in theory, or on sale. The little treasures I had accumulated over time that I didn’t actually need, use, or even think about most days.

Well. That was awkward.

Here I was, explaining to my daughter that having enough should be enough, while surrounded by my own collection of things that had somehow convinced me they deserved a place in my home.

Penny’s figurines suddenly felt less like the problem and more like an invitation to take a good, honest look at all of us.

We’ve Been Convinced We Need More

Consumerism is clever. It doesn’t always show up as an obvious desire to buy everything in sight. Sometimes it looks like a new seasonal collection, a clothing haul, a product launch, or a perfectly curated home that makes us wonder why our own spaces don’t look quite as put together.

Every season brings something new to want. Every scroll offers another thing we didn’t know existed five minutes ago but now somehow cannot live without.

Before we know it, we’re shopping for fall decor while storing summer decor, buying new clothes while our closets are overflowing, and purchasing organizational bins to organize the things we probably should have gotten rid of in the first place. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who has done this.)

There’s nothing inherently wrong with buying something beautiful or enjoying a new purchase. I love beautiful things! But there’s a difference between enjoying what we have and constantly searching for what we don’t.

Sometimes, our homes don’t need more storage. They need a little simplifying.

And as we approach the holidays, when gift lists grow, sales multiply, and the temptation to buy just one more thing seems to be everywhere, I’m feeling a renewed desire to make room in our home for what actually matters.

Not just physically, by clearing out the closets and making space in the cupboards, but mentally and spiritually, too. I’d love to spend less time managing our belongings and more time enjoying the people and moments that make our home feel like home.

What If Simplifying Is About More Than Our Stuff?

When we think about decluttering and downsizing, many of us immediately think of Marie Kondo, whose approach encourages us to keep the things that spark joy. And while there is wisdom in being intentional about what we own, the idea of living with less isn’t a new concept.

It’s biblical.

Scripture has plenty to say about our relationship with possessions, our desire to accumulate, and the danger of allowing material things to take up too much space in our hearts.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns us to be on guard against greed because life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. In other words, the amount of stuff we own is not a measure of the life we’re living.

Matthew 6:19–21 encourages us not to store up treasures on earth, where things deteriorate and disappear, but to store up treasures in heaven. Jesus follows this with a powerful reminder: our hearts follow our treasures.

Proverbs 11:28 reminds us that those who trust in their riches will fall, while Colossians 3:5 warns against greed and calls it idolatry. That’s a sobering thought. Anything we elevate above God, anything we rely on to give us our worth or satisfaction, can begin to take a place in our hearts that it was never meant to occupy.

Even Ecclesiastes 5:10 reminds us that those who love money never have enough. That same restless desire can creep into our relationship with possessions: the next purchase, the next upgrade, the next thing that promises to make life feel a little more complete.

These verses aren’t a command to live in empty rooms or feel guilty about owning a favorite sweater. They’re an invitation to examine our hearts.

Are we buying because we genuinely need something? Are we finding joy in what we’ve been given? Or are we chasing the feeling that the next thing will finally be enough?

Simplifying our homes can be a practical way to practice contentment, generosity, and stewardship. We can make room in our homes while also making room in our budgets, our schedules, and our hearts.

And perhaps, in the process, we can teach our children that having more isn’t the same as having enough.

Five Ways to Simplify Your Home Before the Holidays

You don’t have to transform your entire house in one weekend. Please don’t. Nobody needs to spend November recovering from an organizational marathon. Start small, involve your family, and celebrate the progress.

1. Start with Toys and Children’s Belongings

Begin with the things your children have outgrown, no longer play with, or have completely forgotten they own. Have them help sort their toys into three categories: keep, donate, and discard.

For younger children, work in small batches rather than asking them to part with everything at once. Encourage them to choose a few toys in good condition that another child might enjoy.

And if your child has a collection of approximately one million mini figurines, perhaps this is a good opportunity to discuss enjoying what we have before adding more.

The goal isn’t to make our children feel bad for wanting something new. It’s to help them appreciate what they already have and understand that we can enjoy our belongings without constantly adding to them.

2. Tackle One Closet, Drawer, or Room at a Time

Choose a manageable area each day. One kitchen drawer. One bathroom cabinet. One closet shelf. Set a timer for 15–20 minutes and see what you can accomplish.

Remove items that are broken, expired, no longer useful, or simply taking up space. For clothing, ask yourself whether you actually wear it, whether it fits comfortably, and whether you would choose it again today.

Don’t get caught up in creating a picture-perfect home. The goal is to create a home that functions better for the people living in it.

Small steps add up, and you might be surprised how much lighter a room feels after you’ve let go of a few things you no longer need.

3. Create a Donation Station

Keep a box or basket in a designated spot where family members can place things they’re ready to pass along. When it fills up, take it to a local donation center or arrange a pickup.

This makes simplifying an ongoing habit instead of a massive seasonal event. It also gives children a practical way to learn generosity: the things we no longer need can become useful and meaningful to someone else.

Talk about how sharing our abundance is one way we can care for others. What has been sitting unused in our home might be exactly what another family needs.

Just be sure to get donations out of the house promptly. Otherwise, congratulations! You’ve simply created another pile.

4. Simplify Your Kitchen and Household Supplies

Before holiday baking begins, clear out expired pantry items, duplicate utensils, mismatched food containers, and appliances you haven’t used in years.

Do the same with linens, cleaning supplies, craft materials, and seasonal decorations. Keep what you use and love, and let go of the rest.

Before buying anything new for holiday entertaining, take inventory of what you already own. You might discover you have plenty of serving dishes, decorations, and baking supplies to carry you through the season.

This is especially helpful when kitchens get busier and homes fill with guests, ingredients, and festive projects. Having less to manage can make the season feel a little less chaotic.

5. Make Simplifying a Family Rhythm, Not a Punishment

Put on music, set a 20-minute timer, and work together. Let the kids help decide what stays and what goes, while giving them age-appropriate guidance.

Talk about why you’re doing it. Explain that caring for our belongings includes keeping them useful, sharing what we can, and resisting the urge to accumulate things simply because we can.

You can even establish a simple family rule: when something new comes into the house, consider whether something else can leave.

This doesn’t have to be a strict rule that makes every new purchase feel like a negotiation. Instead, use it as a reminder to be intentional. Before adding something to our home, let’s consider whether it will genuinely add value to our lives.

Over time, these little conversations can help children develop a healthier relationship with possessions, one that isn’t built around always wanting the next thing.

How to Make Room for Meaning as the Holidays Approach

Once your home starts to feel lighter, the next challenge is keeping it that way. And with holiday marketing ramping up, a little intentionality can go a long way.

Make a list before you shop. Decide what you actually need for gifts, meals, decorations, and celebrations. Stick to it as much as possible, even when the internet insists that you absolutely need a festive ceramic pumpkin-shaped serving dish.

Use what you already own. Before buying new decorations, pull out the ones you’ve stored away. Shop your pantry before heading to the grocery store. Rediscover clothes, toys, and craft supplies that are already in your home.

Give yourself a waiting period. When something catches your eye, give yourself 24–48 hours before purchasing it. If you still need it after the initial excitement fades, reconsider. A sale isn’t a saving if you wouldn’t have bought the item otherwise.

Focus on meaningful gifts rather than more gifts. Think about experiences, consumables, handmade items, or gifts that reflect someone’s actual interests. You don’t have to fill every inch beneath the tree to create a memorable Christmas.

Set family expectations early. Talk with your children about gift budgets, wish lists, and the difference between wanting something and needing it. Encourage them to enjoy the anticipation of the holidays without making every new desire a shopping assignment.

Make space for experiences instead of more things. A family baking afternoon, a neighborhood light drive, a movie night with homemade popcorn, or a simple evening reading Christmas stories together can become the moments your children remember long after the latest toy has been forgotten.

And perhaps most importantly, practice gratitude for what you already have. It’s hard to appreciate our abundance when we’re constantly focused on what’s missing.

Less Stuff, More Meaning

I still smile when I think about Penny and her figurines because, in the most ordinary way, she reminded me of something I needed to hear myself.

It’s easy to tell our children they have enough. It’s harder to look at our own habits and ask whether we believe it, too.

As I work through our home, I want to remember that the goal isn’t simply fewer belongings or tidier cupboards. It’s a home where we can breathe a little easier, spend less time managing our stuff, give more generously, and focus on the people and experiences that make life rich.

This holiday season, I’m hoping we can resist the pressure to keep up, buy more, and fill every empty corner. Instead, let’s clear some space, practice contentment, and remember that the most meaningful things in our homes are rarely the things we purchase.

Because according to Jesus in Matthew 6:21, where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.

And I’d really like my heart to be focused on something more meaningful than the contents of my closets.

Even if those closets do look considerably better afterward.

PIN THIS!

---

Read more of Joanna’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

In our quest to please God, we often forget that He has a whimsical side.

After all, no believer wants to do anything that displeases God.  It’s easy to see why people put serious rules upon themselves to stay in line.

But, what about whimsy?

Whimsy is not a word we tend to associate with God.

The definition of whimsical is – “an adjective that means unusual, playful, and imaginative.” That does describe God, doesn’t it (along with majestic, powerful, loving, etc.)?

Let’s take a look at a few examples.

Psalm 104:26 – ^“There the ships go to and fro, and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.”

Frolic.  That’s another fun word.  Here, it shows that play is also important to God.

And look at some of Jesus’ miracles; he turned water into choice wine (John 2:6-10) and he walked past his disciples on the water (Mark 6:48).  Jesus mourned with us, taught us, but he also laughed with us.

Look at God’s creation.  Is it gray and white like in old movies?  Are the animals quiet and well-behaved creatures?  No, He filled our world with bright colors and loud animals with unique features and voices.  Think of a platypus.  Would a god of no whimsy create such an animal?

Numbers 22:28 — “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?’”  What could be more whimsical than a talking donkey?

CK Chesterton argued that the universe is not a cold, mechanical machine, but a joyful, whimsical fairy-tale authored by a God who loves surprise.

I had a great aunt who took her faith very seriously.  She lived it with stolid determination.  Her hair was always in a bun and her feet were clad only in old-fashioned, black orthopedic heels.  She was stern in her beliefs.

For her, there was no whimsy.  Faith was a serious business.  It was no laughing matter.  No joy exuded from her and no feeling of love either.  As she was my only relative who had faith, she confused me.  Was that what Christianity was all about?  I wasn’t sure I wanted any part of it.

Years went by and as I was drawn to Christ I too got caught up in rules.  My very nature was humor and whimsy and yet I tried to make myself into something I wasn’t.

It was only through years of life lessons and better examples of faith-filled believers that I let any whimsy in.  I was so tired of trying to cram myself into a place that wasn’t meant for me and I realized that God created me with a whimsical heart.  Who was I to shut that down?

How refreshing it was to find joy once again and to realize that faith and whimsy can coincide!

Of course we can’t be whimsical all the time.  There is certainly the need for seriousness too.  But sprinkling a little whimsy into our lives is sure to add some zest to our faith walk.

Here are a few easy ways to start:

Put a ribbon on it – I saw an older lady in the grocery store the other day.  She had put her lovely silver hair into two braids tied with pink ribbons.  She smiled as she shopped and she brought joy not only to herself but also to all those who saw her.

It’s so weird, I must have it! – I have learned that when you see something that makes you laugh, it worth the money to buy it.  I have a green dinosaur in my living room that roars when you shoot balls in his mouth.  I also have an old sleeping granny.  She clutches a tray of treasures on her lap.  When you push a button she throws the tray and her goodies fly out and so do her dentures!  I can’t help but smile whenever I look at these whimsical things.  Sprinkle your home with things that make you smile.

Put glitter on it – Feeling down in the dumps?  Splash some glitter nail polish on.  This is an old trick I use to cheer myself up.  It works!

Cubbies – I have a set of cubbies in my entryway.  I keep my whimsies in there and I change them out every season.  They make me smile every time I walk by.

Add color – I just bought emerald green eyeliner.  I’m old.  So what? I can still add color to my life (or buy yourself a lipstick in a bright new shade).

Me to a tee – Add color to your wardrobe. Find a tee shirt with a favorite cartoon character on the front.  Trust me, you’ll get lots of smiles!

Sock it to me – Too shy to dress bold?  Wear crazy socks!  My son keeps me in weird socks.  Anime, food items, shows we’ve watched together, ninjas, I have them all.  And I once got a care package from my friend, Jayme, that was full of unicorn socks.  Even hidden whimsy will brighten your day.

Bare with me – Take your shoes off and walk in the grass.  I feel so connected to God when I do it.  You can literally feel His creation under your feet.  And how whimsical is grass?  It tickles!

Hang up – Hang wind chimes and bird feeders.  You’ll fill your senses with whimsy.

Use the good china – Don’t have any?  I don’t either.  But I go to thrift shops and buy lovely pieces for mere pennies.  My granddaughter loves eating off of them.

Mess it up – There is nothing more beautiful than a worn Bible.  I bought a journaling one and I add pictures and stickers and notes to the margins.  It is becoming very whimsical and I love it so much.

Church clothes – I went to a church in a different culture and I was delighted by their exuberance and the clothes they wore.  The men had suits in every color and the women wore big hats.  Too shy?  Simply add a bright barrette or some sparkly earrings to your outfit.

As these examples show, adding whimsy to your life is easy.  Let us not forget that our relationship with the Lord should include some joy and whimsy.  It’s everywhere in His creation if you only look around.

• Zechariah 8:5 — “And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
• Nehemiah 8:10 — “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Psalm 65:12–13 — “The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!”

PIN THIS!

---

Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

 

 

October is one of my favorite months. It has falling leaves, cooler weather, cozy recipes, beautiful pumpkins, and everything just feels so refreshing here in the Pacific Northwest as we settle into a new season. Unfortunately, as the wonders of autumn arrive the germs tend to show up right along with them. I cringe when the first child wakes with a sore throat or a runny nose. Mostly, because we have a family of six which means by the time we realize one kid is sick they have likely exposed the others. Do you know how long it takes for sicknesses to make their way through our household?! A very long time. With children in three different schools and several sports teams, it’s inevitable that we’re going to be in for a battle during cold and flu season. The noses will soon be sneezing, the Kleenex boxes will constantly be empty, humidifiers will be flowing, and everyone will smell like VapoRub come bedtime. Sick days can be especially taxing for moms as we are usually the ones who our sick kids look to for comfort, even when we are sick right along with them. Chicken soup, medicine, elevating their pillow just right, baths with the proper amount of bubbles, wiping little noses, and making sure they have ice water or tea for their sore throats.

There is only so much we can do to avoid the sick days. As we head into this cozy yet germy time of year, it’s nice to have some books and activities ready to go to keep little kids comfy and entertained as we nurse them back to health! Here are a few of our favorite “sick day” books to get you started:

Just a Little Sick by Mercer Mayer

Little Critter might have the flu, but he still happily anticipates all the fun things he’ll be able to do with a day off from school. That is, until he realizes that being “just a little sick” might not be what he had in mind! Your kids will surely be able to relate to the stir-crazy feelings of our favorite Little Critter as he recovers from his sickness.

Get Well, Curious George by Margeret and H.A. Rey

Join George as he visits the doctor and discovers what it will take to feel better soon! He wants nothing more than to get back to his curious ways but he will first have to take care of himself with extra rest, some juice, and a few quiet activities. This story is perfect for little kids who might need to be put at ease about seeing the doctor!

The Berenstain Bears’ Sick Days by Jan and Mike Berenstain

Oh boy, is this one relatable! Mama Bear is trying to keep life chugging along as she breathlessly tries to care for a sick Sister Bear, while watching the baby, cleaning, cooking, and fighting off the germs herself. It’s an honest look at life with sick kids that both parents and children will find entertaining!

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

Our good friend Bear might be feeling under the weather, but his forest buddies are there to comfort him. Even if it means they might end up getting sick, too. This rhyming tale is a sweet and charming story with colorful, inviting illustrations that your kids will enjoy over and over!

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

This heartwarming story follows a faithful zookeeper named Amos and his quirky animal friends. They each rely on him in different ways, so when he doesn’t show up to work because he’s at home with a cold, they return the favor and pay him a visit! My kids love this book. The illustrations are amazing and it’s a beautiful story of friendship.

---

A few other helpful things to have on hand for when the inevitable sick days arrive are simple puzzles, drawing pads with new crayons or markers, an easy craft kit, fun stamps, or some inexpensive fidget toys that might brighten up your child’s stuffy, sneezy day! Wishing you lots of health this season and hoping that even on the sickest most exhausting days, you will find a few moments of peace.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

PIN THIS!

---

Read more of Maria’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

 

 

 

 

It’s getting to be that cozy time of year when amidst school, sports, and less daylight, we crave a comforting meal that isn’t exhausting to make! My family loves enchiladas, but I don’t always have the time for the prep on weeknights. Cooking and shredding the chicken and then wrapping the filling neatly in each tortilla before baking doesn’t always fit with our schedule these days! What I love about this recipe, is that you don’t have to brown the meat ahead of time, it’s versatile, and it’s full of flavor! Your house will smell like delicious enchiladas but with half the effort. Here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

• 2-2.5 lbs. chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise
• ½ cup taco seasoning
• ½ Yellow onion, sliced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 28oz can enchilada sauce (or homemade)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bag frozen corn
• 8 oz shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• Toppings (optional): Sour cream, lime wedges, cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, green onions, and sliced black olives
• Rice for serving (optional)

Directions:

Grease crockpot. Then add sliced onion, chicken breasts, taco seasoning, black beans, and corn. Cook on high for 3-3.5 hours or low for 5 hours.

Place chicken breasts on a cutting board, shred, then return to the crockpot.

Mix in sour cream. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and allow the cheese to melt on low for another 10-15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro or green onions.

Serve on rice or in a bowl topped with crushed tortilla chips and your favorite extras!

Tips: If you like extra sauce, add an additional 10 oz can of enchilada sauce to the crockpot along with the 28oz.

You don’t have to add sour cream at the end, but I find it helps cut down on the acidity and the creaminess is an upgrade from traditional enchilada recipes (in my opinion!)

I hope you enjoy this tasty, satisfying recipe and that it makes your fall just a little bit easier!

PIN THIS!

---

Read more of Maria’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

 

 

 

We have all said it. Someone we love is walking through a difficult season, and we want them to know we care. Maybe a family member has received a difficult diagnosis, a friend has just welcomed a new baby, a neighbor is packing up their home for a big move, or someone we love is grieving a loss. We want to help. We want to show up. We want them to know they aren’t alone.

So we send a text that says, “I’m thinking of you! Please let me know if there is anything you need.”

And we mean every word.

There is nothing wrong with that message. In fact, I think the heart behind it is lovely. It communicates care, opens the door for connection, and reminds someone that they have people who love them. But I have been thinking lately about how, sometimes, the very people we most want to help are the least likely to know how to ask for it.

When life gets hard, even the simplest things can feel overwhelming. The person caring for a sick parent may not have the energy to figure out what they need, much less coordinate help. The new mom who hasn’t slept in three days might desperately need a meal but feel uncomfortable asking someone to bring one. The family moving across town may be surrounded by boxes, paperwork, and a thousand little decisions, leaving very little mental space to come up with a list of ways other people could help.

Sometimes, “Let me know if you need anything” unintentionally gives one more task to someone who is already carrying too much: identify a need, decide whether it is appropriate to ask, reach out, and coordinate the details.

What if, instead of asking someone to figure out how we can help, we took the time to think of something specific we could offer?

Not because we know exactly what someone needs, but because we love them enough to make helping a little easier.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. I love that picture of what it means to love one another. We aren’t asked simply to notice when someone is struggling. We are encouraged to help carry the weight.

And sometimes, carrying a burden looks less like grand gestures and more like mowing a lawn, dropping off dinner, or taking a child to the park for an hour.

Here are ten texts you can send the next time you want someone to know you care.

1. “I will mow your lawn every Friday afternoon this summer. No need to remind me!”

When life gets busy or difficult, the ordinary responsibilities don’t stop. The grass keeps growing, the laundry keeps piling up, and the garbage still needs to go to the curb.

Offering to take care of a recurring chore removes one more thing from someone’s mental to-do list. It also communicates that you understand their hard season might last longer than a few days.

You could offer to shovel snow, walk the dog, take out the trash, water the garden, or handle another regular task. The key is making a specific offer you can reliably keep.

2. “Dinner will be brought to you every Monday night until you ask me to stop.”

Food is one of the most practical ways to love someone, especially during a new season of life. A new baby, a medical crisis, a move, or a loss can make meal planning feel like an impossible task.

Instead of asking whether someone needs a meal, offer a particular day and a simple plan. If you are organizing meals with friends, you could even coordinate a schedule so the family doesn’t have to manage the details.

Be sure to account for any dietary needs you already know about, and let them know whether you’ll leave the food on the porch or stay for a visit. A little clarity makes accepting help that much easier.

3. “I’m picking up groceries tomorrow and will leave a bag of essentials on your porch. I’ve got milk, bread, eggs, fruit, and a few easy meals covered.”

Grocery shopping is one of those ordinary tasks that can feel enormous when someone is exhausted, overwhelmed, or spending long days at a hospital.

Rather than asking someone to make a list, take care of a few basics you know they use. You can also pick up prescriptions, diapers, school supplies, or other essentials while you’re out.

You don’t have to get everything perfect. Sometimes a gallon of milk, fresh fruit, and bread can make the next couple of days feel much more manageable.

4. “I’m taking the kids to the park Saturday from 10 to noon. I’d love to take yours along, too. I’ll pick them up and bring them home!”

This one is especially helpful for families adjusting to a new baby, a move, or a difficult family situation.

When one person is stretched thin, the children still need attention, playtime, and a little fresh air. Offering to take them somewhere fun can give a parent time to rest, make phone calls, unpack boxes, or simply sit quietly for an hour.

Making the plan specific, including transportation and timing, removes the work of coordinating the details. And if the parent prefers to keep the children close, you can always offer to come over and play with them in the backyard instead.

5. “I’m coming over Thursday to help unpack your kitchen. I’ll bring coffee, too!”

Moving is exciting, but it can also be exhausting. Between packing, paperwork, address changes, and trying to remember which box contains the coffee maker, even a happy transition can leave a person overwhelmed.

Rather than offering vague help with the move, choose a manageable task. You could unpack the kitchen, assemble a bookshelf, break down empty boxes, or help organize the pantry.

If a friend is going through another kind of transition, think about what a similar practical offer might look like. Maybe you can help prepare the nursery, organize paperwork, or tackle a small project that has been weighing on them.

6. “I’m dropping off your favorite coffee and a little treat tomorrow morning. No need to come to the door!”

Not every act of support needs to be a big commitment. Sometimes, a small reminder that someone is loved can make a difficult day feel a little lighter.

A favorite coffee, a homemade treat, a bouquet of flowers, or a handwritten note can communicate, “I remembered you today.”

This is especially meaningful for people experiencing grief or loneliness, when the initial wave of support may have faded but the hard days are still coming. You don’t have to fix their circumstances. You can simply remind them that they haven’t been forgotten.

7. “I’m coming over Tuesday afternoon to sit with you for a while. I’ll bring coffee, and you don’t need to clean or entertain me. We can talk, or we can just sit together.”

When someone is struggling, we can be so focused on the practical things they need that we forget the value of simply being present.

A person caring for a sick family member may need someone to sit with them in a waiting room. A new mom may want an adult conversation that has nothing to do with feeding schedules. Someone grieving may need to tell the same story for the tenth time without feeling like they should be moving on.

Offer your presence without requiring them to entertain you or pretend everything is fine. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is sit on the couch, listen, and let someone be exactly where they are.

8. “I’ll drive you to your appointment Thursday and stay with you throughout. I’ll be there at 9:00 to pick you up.”

Medical appointments, difficult conversations, and unfamiliar situations can be intimidating, especially when someone is already emotionally exhausted.

Offering transportation or companionship removes logistical stress and gives someone another person to lean on. You might drive a friend to an appointment, sit with a loved one during treatment, or accompany a neighbor to an important meeting.

Be clear about the details and follow through. When someone’s world feels uncertain, knowing that one practical thing is already taken care of can be a tremendous relief.

9. “I’m praying for you today. I’m asking God to give you strength, peace, and rest in the middle of everything you’re carrying. I’ll keep praying for you throughout this week.”

For those of us who want to love others through our faith, prayer is a beautiful way to offer support. We can make it even more meaningful by being intentional and following through.

Rather than offering a quick “praying for you” and moving on, take time to pray for the person by name. If appropriate, send a short text later to let them know you prayed. You don’t need to offer an explanation for their suffering or try to find a silver lining. Simply remind them that they are seen, loved, and being brought before God.

And remember, prayer and practical help are not competing ways to love someone. Often, they belong together. You can pray for a struggling family and bring them dinner on Monday night.

10. “You don’t need to respond to this, but I want you to know I’m thinking about you. I’ll check in again next week, and you don’t have to pretend everything is okay with me.”

Sometimes people genuinely don’t know what they need. Other times, they are so overwhelmed that even responding to a kind message feels like one more obligation.

This text removes the pressure to reply while making it clear that your care won’t disappear if they don’t respond right away.

And then follow through. Check in next week. Remember the date of the appointment. Ask how the move went. Reach out a month after the funeral, when the world may have returned to normal for everyone else but still feels different to them.

Consistent care often matters more than a single grand gesture.

A Little Less Asking, a Little More Showing Up

Of course, we can’t always know what someone needs. And a specific offer should never become another expectation they have to manage. We should always respect someone’s boundaries if they decline or prefer to handle things differently.

But I wonder how often we hold back from helping because we don’t know what to do, when the truth is that we don’t need to do everything. We just need to do something.

We can mow the lawn. Bring the meal. Pick up the groceries. Sit in the waiting room. Remember to check in when the initial flurry of support has faded.

Romans 12:15 reminds us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn”. It is such a simple picture of what it means to love one another well. We enter into the lives of the people around us, sharing in their joy and making room for their sorrow.

We don’t have to have the perfect words or know how to fix every problem. We simply have to be willing to show up in the ways we can.

So the next time someone you love is walking through a difficult season, by all means, tell them you care. Tell them you’re thinking of them. Tell them you’re praying.

And then, if you can, give them something specific to say yes to.

Because sometimes the most loving words aren’t, “Let me know if you need anything.”

Sometimes they’re, “I’m bringing dinner on Monday. I’ll see you then.”

PIN THIS!

---

Read more of Joanna’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

 

 

“God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:28 – 30

As I write this, we haven’t had our first frost yet.  But it is coming and it will catch me by surprise like it does every year.

I watch my garden as it struggles to keep up with the changing temperatures.  Some of my tender plants have already wilted and have been pulled up for the compost or burn pile.  The hardier ones are still flourishing and will continue to do so until the winter sets in.

It always makes me sad to watch my tomato plants go through this change.  They are the proud plants of my garden.  They grow like crazy in the good times.  They try to take over the entire garden, growing seven feet tall and spreading their limbs in every direction.  They pay no attention to boundaries and spill over into the neighboring beds.  They supply me with plenty of beautiful, shiny, red and orange tomatoes during the season.

Then, the first frost arrives and the vibrant green vines instantly wither and turn black.  It makes me so sad to see all the green tomatoes that didn’t get their chance to ripen before the cold weather destroyed their vines.  What a waste.  I always feel guilty, like I let the green ones down somehow.  I should have planted earlier, or picked more often, or somehow saved them from the fate of the compost bin.

A few years ago I had so many large and perfect green tomatoes left over that I did some research.  Do you know that you can make SO many things with green tomatoes?  There are recipes galore out there, both sweet and savory.

The first thing I made was green tomato and cheese muffins.  I figured cheese could make anything taste better and would hide any unripe tomato flavor.  Oh, my goodness!  The resulting muffins were delicious!  I raved about them here: Tomatoes Won’t Ripen? Make These Green Tomato Muffins!

The tomatoes mellowed into the most wonderful flavor.  Added bonus: your kids will never know there are vegetables in their muffins.  I promise you this is true.  It’s not like those black bean or spinach brownies people talk about.  Yuck.  No, these were quite simply the best muffins I had ever tasted.

So this year I decided to try making something sweet with green tomatoes.  I chose a bar recipe and once again I was impressed.  After cooking, the tomatoes tasted like apples instead.

Green Tomato Bars

• 2 cups green tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small pot over medium heat, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and lemon juice. Cook until the mixture has thickened a bit, about 20-25 minutes.  You will be tempted to cook it longer because the tomatoes don’t break down at this point.  Don’t worry, they soften in the oven.

In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan really well and press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom, pour the tomato mixture on top of that and then top with the remaining oat mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until light brown. Yum!

The beauty of cooking with green tomatoes is that they end up taking on the flavor of the other ingredients you’ve added.  They lose all tomato taste.  They turn into the yummiest and sweetest ingredient instead.

You can find green tomato recipes for relishes, chow-chows, pickles, pies, cakes, breads, muffins, casseroles, and so much more.  There are enough recipes out there for you to use up all of your unripened tomatoes!

Today I added green tomatoes to my red and orange ones.

I will slow roast them and make Tomato Confit (Recipe here at AllMomDoes: Easy Tomato Confit.  I will probably blend the confit to make pasta sauce.  After that, my next green tomato experiment will be relish.  I can’t wait to make a sandwich with homemade green relish piled on top.

As you can see, those green tomatoes that I always viewed as sad and useless actually have great merit.  How many other things (and people) have I viewed incorrectly?

Gentleness or meekness is talked about so many times in The Bible.  Green tomatoes have a meek, gentle nature to them.  Unlike their proud red brothers and sisters, they seem to have lost all hope of being called to use as they cling to frost-destroyed vines.

I love that I have found uses for them.  Now, instead of feeling sorry for them, I actually look forward to having some green tomatoes left over at the end of the season.

As God often called the lowly and unqualified people to do His bidding, I am using the lowly green tomatoes in ways I never dreamed of before.  And like those God used, they have risen to the tasks.

PIN THIS!

---

Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.