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Raise your hand if you or someone you know has been laid off, let go, downsized, terminated or fired. Now raise your hand if you have found yourself not knowing what to say, what to do and you feel guilty.

I am one of those people! I was recently “let go” of a job that I held for 10-plus years. I am writing this because it occurred to me that this is our new reality. I found myself asking the question as a person of faith how I or any of us can see this as a God-given invitation and opportunity to reach out in a real and practical way to those we know and love that find themselves in this overwhelming circumstance.

The economy and job loss is an opportunity in disguise! An opportunity to express and demonstrate the love and hope of God to our family, friends, neighbors and to our community. If you find yourself wanting to help but just don’t know how out here are some do’s and don’ts:

1. DO say something! Send a card, compose a short email and call the person. Let them you know you are praying for them and you care. A very special gal sent me a box of gourmet brownies (chocolate always makes me happy) with a hand-written card. It was an incredible blessing and hug from God! Simple but very powerful. Now more than ever they need your love and support. Please don’t withdraw.

2. DON’T say: “Losing your job is really a blessing” or “At least you can collect unemployment” or “Look at all the free time you are going to have.” While all those comments may be true, right now that is like pouring salt in a wound. Being let go for whatever reason hurts and is humiliating and embarrassing. It feels like the ultimate form of rejection. Just offer a hug or just listen. Resist the temptation to “preach” or “teach” a life lesson. That may come in the future, but right now just love people where we are at.

3. DO invite them to lunch or coffee. But please let it be your treat! (And tell them that up front). Finances are very much an issue. Being invited to lunch or out for coffee is a wonderful gesture but can cause stress when they have to figure out where they are going to get the money to pay for it.

4. DO pray and ask God to show you how you can in a real way be Christ to that person. Last week I went to get my hair cut. My precious, thoughtful hairstylist let me know if was her treat, no charge! What a blessing. She delivered a hug from above.
Make dinner, bake some cookies, bring flowers, a plant, give a gift card for coffee (which my 18-year-old son did for me on his own), mow their lawn, offer to go for a walk. It doesn’t have to cost money. Just be willing to serve that person.

Several years ago an anonymous friend mailed us a “hard-times” envelope after my husband lost his job. It contained two movie tickets, a gift certificate for a restaurant and money to pay a babysitter. Unbelievable! Our family was also given tickets to go to Carowinds. Another home run. This is our chance to do the extraordinary. Don’t miss it.

This side of heaven, life is not fair, life is sometimes really hard. As people of faith this is an opportunity to be the church, be the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost, fallen, hurting world. To serve one another, to love one another.

God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary work. I don’t like that I have been terminated, nobody does but unfortunately that’s where a lot of us have found ourselves. In these tough times here’s our chance to make Jesus shine through our actions, to open doors and hearts, to offer hope. Be a blessing to someone. Take advantage of this opportunity!

Bonnie Workinger worked on staff at a large church for almost 11 years and was recently laid off. She is the mom of four wonderful young men and has been married to her husband for 28 years.