A Message from our CEO,
Lisa Haglund
Throughout Heritage, at all levels of care, I see residents living in community with one another, even in the midst of a global pandemic, as we strive to provide the exceptional care our greatest generation deserves. At the same time, I see the difficulties our residents, their families, and our staff have endured in living with the constant and often frustrating regulation changes which we have faced during COVID-19. I know it has been exhausting.
When we introduced The Heritage Experience to our teams this year, it was created on the principle of returning to our faith-based roots as an organization, so that God’s perfect plan for Heritage is fulfilled. In accepting the challenges we have been presented with (and there have been many!), embracing change, and rising above, we are indeed becoming a new Heritage. Those challenges have not been easy and have truly tested each and every one of us. We continue more and more each day to embrace those roots and to go back to our faith as we face the future together.
Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three gather together in my name, there am I with them.”
One of my favorite parts to of The Heritage Experience is the Team Heritage Huddles that we now participate in every day. Although the topics may vary, we are always learning what our teammates are grateful for, what the daily updates are, and what the biggest challenges, both professionally and personally, are for each of us. Most importantly, we end each huddle in prayer.
1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” The Lord is ready and waiting for you to talk to Him.
In our huddles, our time together in prayer helps us focus as a team on what is truly important in our lives, brings us closer to God, renews our spirit, and lets us lay our cares for Heritage at His feet, together. We pray for Heritage and that our staff may have all they need to care for our residents. We pray for our leaders at all levels to have the knowledge and wisdom to make God choices. We pray for protection for our staff and residents. We pray for each life that Heritage touches. We pray for our present and our future. No matter what the day may present or how crazy things may become, for at least that brief time we can share in our faith together.
After one particularly memorable huddle, I found myself reflecting on a passage from a devotional that was shared with me from Newspring.cc/devotionals.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” When we’re scared, hurting, or restless, we can ask God for help. When friends or loved ones are struggling, we can talk to God on their behalf. Battle after battle in the Old Testament is won by prayer, not by swords. In Acts, prayer opens a jail cell to free Silas and Paul. Through prayer, Jesus and the disciples healed diseases and even brought people back from the dead. If prayer can do all that, just think about what the power of prayer could do.
Whether it is prayer in our huddles or in quiet moments with our co-workers, residents, or families, we are both fortunate and blessed that after more than 130 years, Heritage remains rooted as a strong, faith-based organization which continues to find a way to remain positive and centered in Christ, despite the challenges and struggles we have faced.
As we face our struggles and obstacles each day, Heritage has one advantage over all others around us as, and that advantage truly is prayer. I have challenged each of our communities, nationwide, to step up and bring prayer back into our daily lives. I hope many of you will also join me in accepting this challenge, spending time in prayer for our Heritage family. If you are willing to commit to this for the next thirty days (and remember, every person can be a leader in this area), I encourage you to join and share your prayers, requests, and stories, with us at prayer@heritage1886.org!
Just imagine what the power of your prayer can do for Heritage.
Blessings,
Lisa