Pt 2: Eric Eickhof + Showing Up in Crisis | Praise Podcast

Hey there, faith family! 🌟✨ Welcome back to another impactful episode of *Ask About My Faith Podcast*. We're thrilled to bring you Part 2 of our conversation with the amazing Eric, where he dives deep into practical tips on how to be there for people in crisis.

In this episode, Eric generously shares his insights and experiences, providing you with tangible ways to show up for friends, family, or anyone facing challenging times. Whether it's a simple gesture or a listening ear, discover how small acts of kindness can make a world of difference.

Join Jess and Abby as they engage in this enriching conversation, learning from Eric's wisdom and gaining valuable tools to navigate the delicate moments when someone needs support the most.

So, grab your favorite cup of coffee, find a comfy spot, and let's dive into Part 2 of "Showing Up in Crisis" with Eric. It's not just a podcast; it's a guide to becoming a beacon of love and support for those who need it.

Hit play now and be inspired to show up for people in their darkest hours. Don't forget to share these practical tips with your friends and family—it's knowledge that can truly change lives.

Subscribe, rate, and stay tuned for more empowering episodes on *Ask About My Faith*. Because here, we're not just talking about faith; we're living it out in practical, impactful ways. 🌈🔊 #ShowUpForOthers #PracticalFaith #SupportInCrisis

--- support this podcast @ https://raisedonors.com/askaboutmyfaithcom/donate

Join us online!

🧡 askaboutmyfaith.com

💙 facebook.com/askaboutmyfaith

💜 instagram.com/askaboutmyfaith

Wherever you are in your faith journey, you’re welcome here! Subscribe and find encouragement for the everyday moments that matter most!

[00:00.000 --> 00:08.100] Welcome to the Ask About My Faith Podcast, where our hope is to inspire everyday faith [00:08.100 --> 00:09.100] conversations. [00:09.100 --> 00:10.600] I'm Jess. [00:10.600 --> 00:11.600] And I'm Abby. [00:11.600 --> 00:15.320] Welcome back to part two of our conversation with Eric Ickoff. [00:15.320 --> 00:18.160] Eric is a husband and father to two little ones. [00:18.160 --> 00:25.280] He's a realtor and relater with a passion for investing in deep and purposeful relationships. [00:25.280 --> 00:30.880] Have you ever wondered how you can best support someone who's facing a scary health diagnosis [00:30.880 --> 00:31.880] or crisis? [00:31.880 --> 00:37.360] Well, Eric is going to share some practical advice on how to be there for someone in your [00:37.360 --> 00:38.960] life who is hurting. [00:38.960 --> 00:43.400] It's a perspective that was born out of a difficult health journey that he and his wife [00:43.400 --> 00:45.040] have been on. [00:45.040 --> 00:49.560] But before that, you're going to hear a couple of fun stories of praying for servers at restaurants [00:49.560 --> 00:50.800] lots to cover. [00:50.800 --> 00:51.800] What's not to love? [00:51.800 --> 00:57.520] Let's jump in. [00:57.520 --> 01:02.840] So Eric, tell us about when you were out to breakfast and maybe it didn't go quite the [01:02.840 --> 01:06.720] way that you and your friend had intended. [01:06.720 --> 01:07.720] Yeah. [01:07.720 --> 01:14.840] Well, luckily my ego is a little bit spared from this because it's a great friend, Paul, [01:14.840 --> 01:23.680] who just has a habit of when he is out to eat, asking person who is serving, is there [01:23.680 --> 01:26.520] anything that we can pray for you today? [01:26.520 --> 01:27.520] Which is so good. [01:27.520 --> 01:28.520] Yeah. [01:28.520 --> 01:33.320] Shout out to Paul for being courageous and asking because it might not always go the way [01:33.320 --> 01:34.320] you think. [01:34.320 --> 01:35.320] And that's okay. [01:35.320 --> 01:36.320] Okay. [01:36.320 --> 01:37.320] Keep going. [01:37.320 --> 01:38.320] Yeah. [01:38.320 --> 01:42.640] In my mind, the worst case scenario, what happens if they say no? [01:42.640 --> 01:43.640] Sure. [01:43.640 --> 01:44.640] Yeah. [01:44.640 --> 01:45.640] Right. [01:45.640 --> 01:50.000] Well, like obviously it's not like worst case scenario is not that bad and just, you [01:50.000 --> 01:54.560] know, like I've, I've, he's a mentor, mine have been out to you several times with them [01:54.560 --> 01:56.880] and experienced these situations. [01:56.880 --> 02:01.680] And I just remember, you know, a few times where like the biggest rejection we've ever [02:01.680 --> 02:06.520] had is just a polite, you know, no, thank you. [02:06.520 --> 02:07.520] I'm okay. [02:07.520 --> 02:10.520] And, but thanks for asking. [02:10.520 --> 02:11.520] Yeah. [02:11.520 --> 02:16.920] And out of all the times, like that's only happened actually a few times. [02:16.920 --> 02:19.160] And that's about the worst that I've seen it. [02:19.160 --> 02:24.000] But if you ever get a chance to flag to Paul, you should definitely ask him, you know, [02:24.000 --> 02:26.480] since that's like a habit of his, I'm sure. [02:26.480 --> 02:27.480] Sure. [02:27.480 --> 02:29.640] I love that because actually Paul's going to be on our podcast next week. [02:29.640 --> 02:32.960] So everyone tune in, but you're so right. [02:32.960 --> 02:38.520] Like the worst thing, especially when it's a waiter and their job is to serve you. [02:38.520 --> 02:42.680] It's like they, no one's going to throw a plate at your face, you know, it's like, no, [02:42.680 --> 02:43.680] thank you. [02:43.680 --> 02:44.680] I'm okay. [02:44.680 --> 02:46.080] It's really the worst that that can happen. [02:46.080 --> 02:51.880] So it's almost not even a swing and miss because the courage to even ask, I think, is such a [02:51.880 --> 02:52.880] win. [02:52.880 --> 02:55.160] Let's be really still want your tips. [02:55.160 --> 02:58.720] So honestly, I wasn't going to say it, but I mean, yeah, exactly. [02:58.720 --> 03:05.760] I, I, so similar thing where I do drive up orders for groceries quite often because life [03:05.760 --> 03:06.760] is busy. [03:06.760 --> 03:07.760] Yes. [03:07.760 --> 03:10.960] And the person came up and looked really bummed. [03:10.960 --> 03:11.960] I don't know. [03:11.960 --> 03:14.840] They looked really upset and I was like, Hey, how are you today? [03:14.840 --> 03:16.160] What, what's going on? [03:16.160 --> 03:17.160] Like, I don't know. [03:17.160 --> 03:20.000] They said something was just super vague and they're like, yeah, you know. [03:20.000 --> 03:22.440] And I was like, no, I don't know. [03:22.440 --> 03:24.440] And they continue to say something is again, super vague. [03:24.440 --> 03:25.440] And I still didn't understand. [03:25.440 --> 03:28.080] I was like, well, could I pray for you? [03:28.080 --> 03:29.080] And she was like, no, I'm not. [03:29.080 --> 03:30.080] Thank you. [03:30.080 --> 03:31.080] And just turned and walked away. [03:31.080 --> 03:32.080] I was like, I, okay. [03:32.080 --> 03:33.280] You barely got the groceries in the door. [03:33.280 --> 03:34.280] That's fine. [03:34.280 --> 03:35.280] Okay. [03:35.280 --> 03:36.280] Have a great day. [03:36.280 --> 03:37.280] But right. [03:37.280 --> 03:38.280] What's the worst that's going to happen? [03:38.280 --> 03:39.280] Yeah. [03:39.280 --> 03:43.960] And this, maybe they say no and walk away and okay, it's not for everyone. [03:43.960 --> 03:44.960] That's okay. [03:44.960 --> 03:45.960] Yeah. [03:45.960 --> 03:49.120] Do you have a favorite story when they didn't say no? [03:49.120 --> 03:50.120] Yeah. [03:50.120 --> 03:51.120] Yeah. [03:51.120 --> 03:53.280] I mean, I'll never forget it is, but I got denied, bro. [03:53.280 --> 04:00.280] And it was the first time that Paul and I sat down for a meal together and the very first [04:00.280 --> 04:01.280] time. [04:01.280 --> 04:02.280] Yeah. [04:02.280 --> 04:03.280] Yeah. [04:03.280 --> 04:07.640] And so it like now, like I look forward to this if I'm going to a meal with Paul, like [04:07.640 --> 04:13.160] this is, this is going to happen, it's going to push me out of my Minnesota comfort zone. [04:13.160 --> 04:16.360] And this is, this is something that I look forward to. [04:16.360 --> 04:20.280] But yeah, the waitress, I can't remember her name. [04:20.280 --> 04:22.800] This was probably about a decade ago. [04:22.800 --> 04:29.960] But, you know, she like paused in her tracks and she's like, actually, you know, this, [04:29.960 --> 04:34.480] there's some things have been pretty tough and shared some family things that were happening [04:34.480 --> 04:41.520] and gave us very specific things to pray for and ask, you know, said that would actually [04:41.520 --> 04:49.520] be great and stopped and we, we prayed for her on the spot and, you know, she was tearing [04:49.520 --> 04:55.360] up as she was walking away and just like how powerful that little moment that he didn't [04:55.360 --> 04:56.360] grow was. [04:56.360 --> 04:57.360] Yeah. [04:57.360 --> 04:58.360] Yeah. [04:58.360 --> 05:04.720] There's nothing else that I'll remember from that day that week, that month, you know. [05:04.720 --> 05:08.520] But I won't forget that for the rest of my life. [05:08.520 --> 05:11.200] Eric, do you ever chime in? [05:11.200 --> 05:13.760] I know you said it's not real. [05:13.760 --> 05:16.400] You maybe feel like it's outside of your comfort zone to do that yourself. [05:16.400 --> 05:23.040] Do you ever actually do the, the prayer before meal or do you ever, have you ever branched [05:23.040 --> 05:27.960] out and asked the server or is that on your to-do list still? [05:27.960 --> 05:35.880] I'm working, you know, like my lane is, you know, get to know me, build a relationship [05:35.880 --> 05:47.840] and give it a very, you know, have a path for someone to come in and say yes to. [05:47.840 --> 05:51.800] But in terms of being more bold in my faith, I'm a work in progress. [05:51.800 --> 05:53.600] So I'm going there. [05:53.600 --> 06:00.960] I know that there has been a few times that I have asked and there has been, you know, some [06:00.960 --> 06:06.120] smaller moments, but I'm so working on it. [06:06.120 --> 06:09.400] And those, those little moments are so important too. [06:09.400 --> 06:15.200] It's not like they're any less important in the kingdom of God, like that, whether [06:15.200 --> 06:21.720] it's a seed planted or someone praised for salvation, they are all so important. [06:21.720 --> 06:26.320] And I appreciate you saying that because so many of us listening would also say, you [06:26.320 --> 06:29.400] know, I'm a work in progress too, and I'm going to be okay with that. [06:29.400 --> 06:32.200] And I'm also going to be willing to challenge myself. [06:32.200 --> 06:33.200] For sure. [06:33.200 --> 06:34.200] Yeah. [06:34.200 --> 06:40.120] It kind of reminds me going out to a meal with my mom to see the way that she kind of shares [06:40.120 --> 06:46.320] her faith with waitresses and waiters is by leaving a hefty tip and just saying like, [06:46.320 --> 06:48.680] hey, God loves you and I want you to know that today. [06:48.680 --> 06:55.680] So it's like blessing them and then blessing them in kind of both senses of both ways [06:55.680 --> 06:56.680] there. [06:56.680 --> 06:57.680] Yeah. [06:57.680 --> 07:01.560] Because, you know, I think you're a lot of us, it doesn't need to be like a full-on conversation [07:01.560 --> 07:05.280] or even a pair with them in that moment, but yeah, a way to bless them and just like plant [07:05.280 --> 07:06.280] a seed. [07:06.280 --> 07:11.440] I wonder for some people, yeah, just a comment, just speaking of blessing over them and a word [07:11.440 --> 07:15.240] of encouragement, if that would feel more dual for some people. [07:15.240 --> 07:16.240] Yeah. [07:16.240 --> 07:17.240] Yeah. [07:17.240 --> 07:21.840] I have a friend, I have a friend Dan, who's a big tipper, and a little plus blessing. [07:21.840 --> 07:22.840] No kidding. [07:22.840 --> 07:23.840] You know that. [07:23.840 --> 07:24.840] Yeah. [07:24.840 --> 07:35.200] You guys have a cool story of, do you want to share your story of a tip when you were [07:35.200 --> 07:37.200] on South Africa? [07:37.200 --> 07:38.200] Yeah. [07:38.200 --> 07:44.240] So for his 30th birthday, we went to South Africa. [07:44.240 --> 07:46.800] You know, don't know if we're ever going to go back again. [07:46.800 --> 07:48.880] You don't know when you'll get the chance to do something better. [07:48.880 --> 07:49.880] Yeah. [07:49.880 --> 07:54.040] So this was our chance to do something big and fun and did it on a budget. [07:54.040 --> 07:55.040] But it was awesome. [07:55.040 --> 07:59.320] We found a little sushi spot and it looks like a hole in the wall. [07:59.320 --> 08:05.000] And I don't know if I feel great about leaving our vehicle out front, you know? [08:05.000 --> 08:11.280] But we went in and our server was just so sweet and, or the host, I don't know. [08:11.280 --> 08:15.640] The host actually was more involved than our server and so that was interesting to us. [08:15.640 --> 08:22.040] I don't know if that's normal in that area or not, but the host was more involved and helpful [08:22.040 --> 08:24.840] and friendly than our server. [08:24.840 --> 08:29.760] And so when we left, we also gave her a big tip. [08:29.760 --> 08:35.480] And like you said, that's just one of the ways that we feel like we could bless that person [08:35.480 --> 08:36.720] in that time. [08:36.720 --> 08:42.960] And she looked at us and she said, that's for me. [08:42.960 --> 08:47.600] You like she thought maybe we were confused about how we pay our meal and we're like, [08:47.600 --> 08:50.920] yeah, we, you know, we just want to know God loves you. [08:50.920 --> 08:56.760] And, you know, this is one of the small ways that he's saying he loves you today is just [08:56.760 --> 08:59.200] by, you know, giving us a little gift. [08:59.200 --> 09:07.080] And she, she started to tear up immediately and just so grateful and just, you know, not [09:07.080 --> 09:08.080] just tearing up. [09:08.080 --> 09:09.600] I mean, she's crying. [09:09.600 --> 09:12.440] And she said, you have no idea my little daughter. [09:12.440 --> 09:17.240] I think maybe two years old or, you know, she said, she has this illness. [09:17.240 --> 09:23.600] And we, we don't know what's going on, but we can't afford to bring her to the doctor, [09:23.600 --> 09:27.080] you know, to, to have them do the tests or studies, whatever it is. [09:27.080 --> 09:33.480] And she was just so grateful and that now she could finally bring her daughter to the doctor. [09:33.480 --> 09:34.480] Wow. [09:34.480 --> 09:41.320] Something that we so take for granted and, and so my, so Dan actually said, great, Jess [09:41.320 --> 09:47.080] wants to pray for you or something long as he's put me right under the bus, if you will, [09:47.080 --> 09:48.560] but no, it was so great. [09:48.560 --> 09:50.900] And of course I'm a huge empath. [09:50.900 --> 09:55.400] So I was bawling along with her and trying to pray through the tears, but it was so sweet. [09:55.400 --> 10:00.080] And we actually, you know, Dan had just a little bit more cash and so he just opened [10:00.080 --> 10:06.240] up the wall and gave the rest to her because he was like, wow, God, God was blessing us so [10:06.240 --> 10:11.960] much in that moment too of just saying, hey, trust me and step out and just love. [10:11.960 --> 10:14.960] And so anyway, we've, we've enjoyed that too. [10:14.960 --> 10:15.960] So good. [10:15.960 --> 10:16.960] That's crazy. [10:16.960 --> 10:20.200] You just, you don't know what's going on in other people's worlds. [10:20.200 --> 10:25.800] And even if she was as happy as serving you so well, it's like she's carrying such a heavy [10:25.800 --> 10:26.800] weight. [10:26.800 --> 10:28.720] So yeah, I love that. [10:28.720 --> 10:29.720] Thank you for sharing. [10:29.720 --> 10:30.720] Yeah. [10:30.720 --> 10:31.720] Thanks for reminding me of it. [10:31.720 --> 10:32.720] Yes. [10:32.720 --> 10:33.720] Let's see. [10:33.720 --> 10:38.400] Um, are there any other stories that you want to share? [10:38.400 --> 10:40.840] I'm looking through the thing here. [10:40.840 --> 10:47.440] Is there anything along with your wife's health issues where there's a story that you [10:47.440 --> 10:49.000] got to share faith through that? [10:49.000 --> 10:51.360] Do you want to bring that up at all? [10:51.360 --> 10:52.360] Yeah. [10:52.360 --> 10:54.080] Yeah, I think so. [10:54.080 --> 11:02.040] I think it relates to like, you know, a lot of, you know, I have definitely strengthened [11:02.040 --> 11:08.680] my faith through challenges and through circumstances that are less than ideal. [11:08.760 --> 11:13.000] But, you know, that's overlining is, um, there's some miraculous things that, that I [11:13.000 --> 11:14.560] always come through. [11:14.560 --> 11:20.640] And, uh, you know, I think that's, that's a way that, um, yeah, I have learned through [11:20.640 --> 11:26.600] going through those experiences myself, how to carefully have those conversations with other [11:26.600 --> 11:28.160] people that might be suffering. [11:28.160 --> 11:29.160] Yeah. [11:29.160 --> 11:32.000] Because I think that's one of the mistakes that a lot of Christians can make is they may [11:32.000 --> 11:39.320] see someone suffering and they may just try to solve it, um, with faith, faith, faith [11:39.320 --> 11:40.320] thing. [11:40.320 --> 11:41.320] Yeah. [11:41.320 --> 11:46.120] I think it'd be great to have you share a little bit of kind of from your experience, um, you [11:46.120 --> 11:53.320] know, kind of a suggestion and, and a little bit of a how to, yes, um, not that you're the [11:53.320 --> 11:54.880] an expert or anything, right? [11:54.880 --> 11:57.520] But that you, you have a little bit of experience with that. [11:57.520 --> 12:01.120] Are you okay with kind of going that direction as well? [12:01.120 --> 12:02.120] Yeah. [12:02.120 --> 12:03.120] Yeah. [12:03.120 --> 12:08.320] I, I definitely am, you know, like I'm here on this earth for, for God to use me and I [12:08.320 --> 12:13.600] encourage people through my story that so be there's nothing off limits, but yeah, it's, [12:13.600 --> 12:20.880] uh, you know, my wife at, um, age 24 was diagnosed with, uh, you know, breast cancer. [12:20.880 --> 12:24.240] Uh, you know, it was, uh, an invasive breast cancer. [12:24.240 --> 12:29.080] Uh, and, um, you know, they kind of had the rush into surgery. [12:29.080 --> 12:33.960] We got, I actually got the new year, the news on New Year's Eve, 2012, uh, that's what [12:33.960 --> 12:37.720] we got called in the Mayo Clinic being like, Hey, this came back. [12:37.720 --> 12:41.040] This is, um, this is an invasive breast cancer. [12:41.040 --> 12:44.080] We need to get you down here as soon as possible. [12:44.080 --> 12:47.240] Um, by the way, we're closed tomorrow because it's New Year's Day. [12:47.240 --> 12:53.200] So, um, uh, so come as soon as you can, uh, on the second. [12:53.200 --> 12:57.240] And this was at like six o'clock New Year's Eve right before we're going to go to our [12:57.240 --> 12:58.240] friend's house. [12:58.240 --> 13:01.920] We, we still went out, but we were in just like a state of shock. [13:01.920 --> 13:04.480] We like, okay, no idea what, what this meant. [13:04.480 --> 13:09.440] Uh, but the whole point of it is like, you know, through that experience and she went [13:09.440 --> 13:12.200] through, um, she went through a lot. [13:12.200 --> 13:13.160] She went through chemo. [13:13.200 --> 13:15.480] She went through, had a bilateral mastectomy. [13:15.840 --> 13:19.000] Um, you know, the, the cancer just passed forward. [13:19.000 --> 13:20.400] You know, she, she beat it. [13:20.400 --> 13:26.040] She was on this drug tamoxet fin, which, you know, uh, you know, the chance of remission [13:26.040 --> 13:32.800] and come down ended up coming back again, um, a few years ago, uh, in a much smaller [13:32.800 --> 13:33.800] way. [13:33.800 --> 13:40.280] Um, you know, it shouldn't have because, you know, she already had the surgery, but, um, [13:40.280 --> 13:41.520] it removed it again. [13:41.520 --> 13:42.640] She went through radiation. [13:42.640 --> 13:46.600] So we've, we've been through this drill, um, you know, a few times. [13:46.640 --> 13:49.760] And, uh, I mean, Ali's been an absolute trooper. [13:49.760 --> 13:54.760] And just one thing I want to say about her is, as much as she's been through this, um, [13:54.760 --> 14:00.200] you know, she's never really worn it as her identity of like a breast cancer survivor. [14:00.280 --> 14:02.160] She is, she's not afraid to talk about it. [14:02.160 --> 14:03.400] It's definitely open. [14:03.480 --> 14:06.560] Um, and she's, she's been there as a resource for a lot of people. [14:06.960 --> 14:14.080] Um, but, you know, incredibly strong person who, you know, I've learned a lot from, but a whole [14:14.080 --> 14:19.640] point in all of this, like I said, is, you know, we got to experience firsthand, um, some [14:19.640 --> 14:24.080] people that were very helpful in our lives and some people that intended to be very helpful [14:24.160 --> 14:24.680] in our lives. [14:25.160 --> 14:32.200] Um, and so, you know, I, I think it's allowed us to, you know, when someone is suffering, [14:32.440 --> 14:39.560] yeah, reach out in a way, um, that really just kind of builds them up and, you know, it [14:39.560 --> 14:42.800] doesn't put more of a burden on them. [14:42.800 --> 14:43.080] Yeah. [14:43.080 --> 14:43.120] Yeah. [14:43.120 --> 14:44.280] What does that look like? [14:44.360 --> 14:49.840] I'd love for, um, for myself, you know, to, to have a better understanding of what did [14:49.840 --> 14:51.680] you guys actually experience as helpful? [14:51.680 --> 14:53.480] And what do you, what is it that you try to do? [14:53.480 --> 14:56.480] How do you reach people when they're going through a hard time? [14:57.440 --> 14:57.920] Yeah. [14:58.440 --> 14:58.760] Yeah. [14:58.760 --> 15:06.880] I think it just like taking a step back and, uh, acknowledging that like they are suffering [15:07.040 --> 15:09.920] and acknowledging that they do need something. [15:09.960 --> 15:11.880] They do need some community. [15:11.920 --> 15:13.000] They do need some love. [15:13.000 --> 15:14.200] They do need some support. [15:14.560 --> 15:21.320] Um, you know, and so you don't have to ask the question, how are you doing? [15:21.760 --> 15:25.240] You, you can just assume that maybe they're not doing so great. [15:25.280 --> 15:25.680] Right. [15:25.680 --> 15:26.320] Yes. [15:26.480 --> 15:26.840] Right. [15:27.120 --> 15:32.000] You don't have to, you also, on the flip side, you don't have to like label them, right? [15:32.000 --> 15:36.080] You don't have to say like you're doing bad, uh, or how are you doing? [15:36.320 --> 15:44.000] You know, it can just be like what they, people really need, um, is, I would say love and food. [15:44.360 --> 15:44.600] Yes. [15:44.600 --> 15:45.080] You know, [15:45.080 --> 15:46.160] that's so good. [15:46.560 --> 15:46.840] Right. [15:46.840 --> 15:47.320] It's good. [15:48.200 --> 15:48.520] Right. [15:48.520 --> 15:51.120] Like that is like you can never go wrong. [15:51.200 --> 15:53.040] Um, with those two things. [15:53.040 --> 15:58.000] So just letting someone know like, Hey, um, I've been thinking about you. [15:58.360 --> 16:01.840] Um, Hey, I, you know, I care about you. [16:01.880 --> 16:03.880] Hey, you're, you're on my mind. [16:04.280 --> 16:11.840] Um, you know, and just the simple act of dropping something off, you know, like, Hey, [16:11.840 --> 16:14.040] I dropped something off at your front door. [16:14.200 --> 16:19.840] Um, you know, I'm not like what we do is we don't tell people we're coming by. [16:19.920 --> 16:24.480] You know, one of my friends had a baby two days ago, um, found out he, you know, [16:24.480 --> 16:28.920] they just got home from the hospital, uh, yesterday, uh, dropped off a couple of [16:28.920 --> 16:29.840] pizzas at their door. [16:29.920 --> 16:32.400] I didn't tell them I was dropping off until I was gone. [16:32.720 --> 16:36.520] Um, you know, cause I know that they're going through a ton of stuff and I don't [16:36.520 --> 16:41.320] want them to feel any obligation to invite me inside or meet the baby or anything [16:41.320 --> 16:41.720] like that. [16:41.720 --> 16:46.200] Like, no, I just want to like offer some help and make their life as easy as [16:46.200 --> 16:46.720] possible. [16:46.720 --> 16:48.840] Let them know that I'm thinking about them. [16:48.920 --> 16:51.440] I care for them, you know, and we're here for them. [16:51.560 --> 16:52.880] And, and that's all. [16:52.920 --> 16:55.240] And they need nothing. [16:55.240 --> 16:56.920] They need to give nothing back to me. [16:56.920 --> 16:59.400] No validation, you know, no time. [16:59.800 --> 17:01.000] Um, nothing. [17:01.000 --> 17:05.120] Cause I think a lot of times people were hurt for us. [17:05.200 --> 17:11.640] And what we found is we spent a lot of time being counselors to them how to [17:11.640 --> 17:14.320] control their emotions around us, you know, which is [17:15.160 --> 17:20.320] that that can happen a lot, especially some of the people that are very close to you. [17:22.000 --> 17:28.040] You, uh, just show so much like emotional intelligence too, which I think is such a [17:28.040 --> 17:32.640] gift, but I appreciate a really, the really practical advice of like, don't ask [17:32.640 --> 17:36.960] how they are, uh, remind them that you love them, that you're thinking of them. [17:37.000 --> 17:42.880] And like no one's going to waste a grub hub gift card or, uh, reject pizza on their [17:42.880 --> 17:43.640] front stoop. [17:43.640 --> 17:47.600] Yeah, I think, man, you just don't learn compassion until you go through something [17:47.600 --> 17:47.880] hard. [17:48.320 --> 17:51.640] I think we've talked about that a lot, but just so practical. [17:52.960 --> 17:55.040] And I like that you didn't put a burden on them. [17:55.040 --> 17:55.440] Yes. [17:55.440 --> 18:03.120] Um, you know, it's, it's tough when you feel, yes, I am grateful, but I also didn't [18:03.320 --> 18:05.280] actually have the energy to host them. [18:05.640 --> 18:05.920] Okay. [18:05.920 --> 18:11.400] And for that pizza dinner and we just were hoping to have a quiet night. [18:11.920 --> 18:15.920] Um, yeah, you made it really easy for people to accept your support. [18:16.360 --> 18:16.800] That's good. [18:16.880 --> 18:17.200] Yeah. [18:17.440 --> 18:17.720] Yeah. [18:17.760 --> 18:20.200] Just never, never asked them what they need. [18:20.640 --> 18:24.320] Never tell them that, that you're here for whatever they need. [18:24.880 --> 18:27.960] Those, those things don't ever need to be said. [18:28.240 --> 18:32.920] In my opinion, you just show them, um, that you're there for them, you know, through [18:32.920 --> 18:38.320] a little act, um, because they, even if they know what they need, you know, they [18:38.320 --> 18:41.400] don't necessarily want to ask for it right now. [18:41.480 --> 18:44.400] When they're going through it at that time, they're not at a place of confidence [18:44.880 --> 18:47.680] to, you know, sometimes request some of those things. [18:48.160 --> 18:51.800] I think it's cool to, and we can show people you are not a burden. [18:52.840 --> 18:58.080] You're not giving them the opportunity to say no, or to, you know, question [18:58.480 --> 19:00.320] whether I should ask for help or not. [19:00.520 --> 19:04.040] It's just saying, nope, you know what, I'm going to love you. [19:04.160 --> 19:05.440] And I'm not even asking. [19:05.520 --> 19:09.880] I'm just going to love you because it's the same way that God loves us. [19:09.960 --> 19:13.200] He just says, whether you're asking for it or not, I love you. [19:13.760 --> 19:15.120] And he shows us that. [19:15.160 --> 19:17.520] We don't always see it, but he shows us that. [19:18.400 --> 19:19.400] So good. [19:20.360 --> 19:25.840] Well, why don't we go ahead and wrap up our time today, Eric, with a little [19:25.840 --> 19:30.520] piece of advice or encouragement for our listeners as they go out and share their faith. [19:32.160 --> 19:32.680] Yeah. [19:33.680 --> 19:42.080] For me, I'm a big fan of, like, a lot of things I do in this life, I stay in my lane, you know, [19:42.080 --> 19:45.160] I know what I'm confident at. [19:45.240 --> 19:47.960] I know what, where I don't have skills. [19:48.000 --> 19:55.080] And, you know, I don't, I think it's OK to, like, push yourself. [19:55.080 --> 19:59.080] Like, sometimes there's a difference when you feel a sense of uncomfortable. [19:59.440 --> 20:04.960] Sometimes it's, it's either it's uncomfortable because it's new or it's [20:04.960 --> 20:07.040] uncomfortable because it goes against your values. [20:07.400 --> 20:15.560] And so I think, you know, a lot of times with sharing your face, it's, it is more that [20:15.560 --> 20:18.680] is just new and it's something that you haven't done before. [20:18.680 --> 20:20.320] It doesn't go against your value. [20:20.320 --> 20:26.440] So, you know, sometimes, you know, I'm very much like listening to that inner voice, [20:26.440 --> 20:31.000] but sometimes you need to pause yourself for a minute to and say, like, OK, is that [20:31.000 --> 20:36.680] inner voice voice just there because, you know, I'm trying something I haven't done [20:36.680 --> 20:44.160] before and there's a fear of failure and be aware of that and and call yourself [20:44.160 --> 20:51.280] up on that when you need to because that'll lead to a much richer life and so many aspects. [20:51.440 --> 20:51.960] Right. [20:51.960 --> 20:57.920] Is this from the Lord or is this maybe the enemy trying to kind of put me in my own way? [20:59.000 --> 20:59.440] Yeah. [21:01.920 --> 21:04.680] Thank you for listening to the Ask But My Faith podcast. [21:04.840 --> 21:09.280] We'd love your support in continuing to bring you encouraging and inspiring stories. [21:09.320 --> 21:12.480] Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you're listening. [21:12.680 --> 21:16.680] And you can learn more about us and donate at AskButMyFaith.com. [21:17.040 --> 21:19.640] God bless you this week as you go out and share your faith. Transcription results written to '/home/forge/transcribe3.sonicengage.com/releases/20240207165123' directory