By Jeri Mulder

A few weeks ago, I learned about a young man whose life changed in an instant. He’s a friend of my daughter-in-law—an adventurous 28-year-old whose future suddenly looks very different after a life-altering accident. I had never met him, but when I heard he was in a rehab facility near where I live, something in me said I should visit.

Then fear crept in.

What would I say? How do you walk into a room and face such pain? What if I made things worse?

For days I talked myself out of going. Then I saw an Instagram Reel Karen—our ministry’s founder—had posted. The message was simple: “Just go.” I watched it over and over. Each time, I felt the same nudge: Stop overthinking. Just go.

Still, I needed something to carry in—something to break the ice. I thought of Nancy, who has a gift for baking and often makes cookies for people who need encouragement. I called her, and by the next morning she had packed a huge bag filled with Buckeyes and beautifully decorated sugar cookies—ten pounds of sweetness and love.

Armed with those cookies, I finally went to the rehab center.

At first, we talked about the cookies—an easy, safe topic. Then the conversation opened up. I asked how he was doing, how therapy was going, and what life might look like when he left. He shared that he and his fiancée were setting up a new apartment and how eager he was to find new ways to stay active. Once a physically active adrenaline junkie, he was already thinking about wheelchair basketball and other sports to keep his spirit alive.

He was warm and gracious, and by the time I left, the tension I’d felt walking in had lifted. It wasn’t easy, but it was good.

Before I left, I told him Nancy said he could share the cookies with others—family, nurses, or therapists. He smiled and said, “Absolutely not. I’m eating them all.” We both laughed, and the fear that had kept me away melted too.

Looking back, I’m so grateful for Karen’s reminder. Sometimes love is as simple—and as hard—as showing up.

When your heart whispers go, don’t wait.

Just go.

About the author: Jeri Mulder is a Wisdom of the Wounded team member.