How to treat someone correctly after surgery
Table of Contents
Do unto others
How to treat someone is always important. But how we treat people after surgery, or, let’s say, a hospital stay or a long illness, reveals a lot about people. This happened to me after my foot surgery. Some people were a disappointment, meaning they didn’t reach out the way I would’ve. But some of that is on me.
People are consistent.
You see, people are amazingly consistent and are going to behave the way they always have. But I was still surprised by two of them. I shouldn’t have been because I have always been the initiator in relationships. Still, it has given me pause to think. But not perhaps in the way you might think.
Human behavior and the dynamics of relationships often unfold in patterns that can seem remarkably consistent over time. Yet, even within this predictability, we occasionally encounter situations that defy our expectations, causing us to question our assumptions and perceptions. This particular experience has prompted me to contemplate the intricate nature of human interaction and the roles we play in shaping our relationships.
Further, it’s totally changed how I think about starting connections. It’s helped me really understand what’s going on in relationships. Looking inside myself has shown me new ways of thinking and understanding, making me question what I used to believe about my part in relationships and showing me how complicated human connections can be.
I was like, “Whoa, wait, what?!” But you know what? It actually made me stop and think. In the end, it totally pushed me to reflect on things and grow as a person. It got me really digging into why people act the way they do and how relationships work. It’s like a whole new level of understanding about how we connect with others.
And now I’m all about bringing more empathy and mindfulness into my future relationships because I’ve realized how much starting connections really shapes the whole web of human relationships. I don’t want to be that person who disappoints another because I didn’t show compassion.
In the end, even though people tend to be predictable, it’s those surprising and perhaps disheartening moments that make us stop and think, helping us learn and understand more about how we connect with each other. It has made me more convinced than ever that going above and beyond is always the best choice. That’s about as Biblical as it gets. Right?
My conclusion
I immediately got past the behavior of one friend because I know her heart, and I know how much she has personally been through this past year. I knew she would be praying even if she didn’t tell me. I would’ve preferred a quicker reach-out, but she had requested updates from my husband and thought she was giving me time to recoup before contacting me personally. I can accept that.
In the case of the other, it just reminds me to “guard my heart” in the future where she is concerned.
Most of the people I know were wonderful. They reached out. They left text messages, knowing I would have my phone off when resting anyway. They connected with my husband.
So here’s what I recommend:
Always reach out ahead of time to let your friend(s) know what you will be praying for them. And be sure you do. This has always been a commitment I have made to myself that if I say I will pray for someone, I will.
Ask them if you can connect with their spouse after a few days to see how they are doing. This is what I did. I told my friends to connect with my husband the first couple of days and that I would let them know when I was up to a call or a visit. When I was ready, I connected with them.
Have some cards ready to send. This is definitely something I have been amiss in doing but won’t from now on. I had one friend who sent sweet little inexpensive cards every few days. Others sent cute GIF’s or posted on Facebook.
Do NOT suggest that they let you know if you can do anything for them. No one is going to do that. Instead, offer to drop off a meal or some baked goods.
God spoke
I woke up in the middle of the night feeling a little sorry for myself. I was in pain, feeling lonely, and just overall “crappy.” (Forgive my language.) Then I had the most wonderful revelation overcome me. No, not come over, overcome. I will share that tomorrow if I can find the words. I’m hoping that as I type, God will give me the words.
The name of my next book is FREE. There is a subtitle, but I’m not revealing it yet. That word, free, had been rolling around in my head for weeks. I came to the conclusion that my word of the year is “Free,” and my new book would have the same title. It just all kind of came together.
And the experience that night further convinced me I was on the right track.
Our God is good. He takes all our experiences and brings them together in a way that only a Master Potter can.
I am doing remarkably well and praise God that he has helped me keep to the resting, elevating, and icing. As much as I hate it.
God bless, and have a great day.
PS I would love to hear your word-of-the-year, if you are into that.
