Let Us Know If There's Anything We Can Do

So my brother in law passed away recently, it was sudden and very sad.  But, in the coming weeks, my husband and I found humor in the variety of reactions from our friends.  

From Facebook to texts, all we heard all day was "Let Us Know If There's Anything We Can Do".  I've said this (even yesterday) and I completely understand the feeling of wanting to help.

BUT, what does that really mean anyway??  If I really want to help, I will offer dinner or to watch their kids or I send a card or a donation or something.  But the blanket statement "Let Us Know If There's Anything We Can Do" is really funny to us now after hearing it soooooooo many times.

By the way, noone did bring dinner or offer to watch the kids...so, we started coming up with responses like "Dinner would be nice" or "Yeah, how about $20" because we felt like people really weren't offering help--they were just feeling bad and wanted to throw out an offer.  Of course we didn't send any responses besides "Pray for us" or "Thanks!" but I really wonder what people would have said if I had said "Hey, what's for dinner" or "Watch the kids for me"...LOL!

Just food for thought:  the next time you really want to help, just DO SOMETHING--drop off cookies or send a card--let's vow not to say "Let Us Know If There's Anything We Can Do" unless we are willing to actually do something!