For our New Year’s Day Resident’s Chapel at the Bridge at Monteagle I read a passage from Psalm 90:12. It reads:
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…”
I encourage all the resident’s in attendance to make that one of their resolutions. Furthermore, I challenged them that it is one worth keeping.  It is a vivid reminder  from Moses, the writer of that particular Psalm, to count each day as a gift. However, this resolution is more than just a desire to lose weight, eat better, exercise more, read more books, etc.. Rather it is a resolution that brings forth a gift. That gift is a heart full of wisdom! Moses goes on to say in verse 14:
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
Joy and gladness are some things felt around the Bridge at Monteagle most. Each resident and stakeholder in their own way show these powerful emotions every single day. This is a facility filled with hugs, kisses, and love expressed in big and small ways. It is my hunch that this resolution that many residents and myself have committed to in 2014 will be one kept.Â
It is my prayer that all connected to the Bridge at Monteagle can find fresh ways each and every day to fulfill their commitment to this Psalm.
For our residents I am encouraging them to EMBRACE each as a gift where they can learn and love. Wisdom is available every day, they simply have to make the decision to seek it and gain it. Inspirational readings, praying, helping their friends, and serving their family are a few ways to EMBRACE each day’s invitation to wisdom. For friends and family of Bridge residents you can support this by bringing them devotionals related to their faith tradition, articles, or stopping by to read them a sacred scripture or two! Above all pray for the residents as they seek to live out a life of numbering their days so they may find wisdom.
For our stakeholders (the staff of the Bridge) I am challenging them to COUNT each day as a new opportunity to provide excellent care. Every resident, and the family they represent, deserve good, loving, and dignified care. I never doubt our team here at the Bridge, but never cease encouraging them to find exciting ways to share love that everyone, especially our residents, need. They are each COUNTED on for the daily physical and emotional support for every member of our Bridge family. Perhaps you can encourage the stakeholders here by sending an encouraging note or simply thanking them as you visit our halls.
Finally for our families I pray you will CONSIDER each visit as special. Some of the best moments at the Bridge are watching residents’ faces light up when a loved one or friend come to visit them. Know that your visits are CONSIDERED special by your family members and our team at the Bridge. Every time you visit you fill them with the love and energy needed to face their medical and therapy support with new focus. Many of you travel long distances to get here, but each visit is special and important. Know that our team here is ready to help you make each and every visit the best and most special visit for you and your loved one.
Moses ends the 90th Psalm with the simple prayer:
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”
Our hands can do many things in 2014. It is the prayer of our spirituality staff and volunteers that they be blessed with God’s good favor and are used to count how we can love and support the residents, stakeholders, and families here at the Bridge.
If I can serve you or your family in any way please know my door is always open (the last door on the West Hallway at the Bridge) or you can reach me at chaplain.monteagle@signaturehealthcarellc.com
Until we meet please accept my prayers for a wise, blessed, and excellent 2014.
Chaplain Joel P. Reynolds, MDiv – Director of Spirituality