When my husband died last year I posted here and asked if anyone was inclined to please say a prayer, intention, or affirmation for him. Okay, I posted the day he died and these may not have been the exact words I used. I have been reading the topics on helpful and hurtful comments.
I have pretty often said "I keep you close in prayer". As Coco posted recently, when I say that I mean that I really do pray extra for that poster. But, I pray for each of us, every morning, every night.
Or, am I saying intentions or affirmations? So, I looked it up at Google. "Prayer": thy will be done. "Intention": my will is petitioned. "Affirmations", less clear to me, but kind of like "things are going well and I want to support that".
I can see how each can be interpreted to pretty much any situation. I have the most difficult time with affirmation.
Yet, I follow two friends who are on "Caring Bridge" and believe strongly in affirmation- that as long as "events" are bringing them closer to their G-d, their Lord, then it is affirming.
For these friends who are far away- I don't have money to send them (and don't even know if that would be welcome) and I can't do anything for them from thousands of miles away (I'll miss you tomorrow like I missed you today.)
What makes you cringe? For me, my parents are primary! What is most helpful for support at a distance?
I can truthfully say that no hurtful comments have been made to me.Most prople ask if I am doing okay or can they help me in any way. I do take them up on handyman jobs and lawn mowing etc.I do appreciate the calls from out of town friends to just chat and have a normal conversation and being asked to lunch when they do come to my area.Many do say they "pray for us'"I'm thankful they care.I am sure I have made comments tp some that were not in the best of taste but I meant well and intended to be caring. That is the way I take comments made to me, their intentions are good.