Change can be scary. And yet, it can be exciting. I think back to five years ago, when I was asked by the leadership of Healthkeeperz to consider coming on board the Healthkeeperz team as the corporate chaplain. I remember that I was both anxious and excited.

The idea of stepping into “marketplace ministry” had certainly been nice conversation material, since when you only talk or dream about something, you can often only imagine all the positive aspects of what you envision. And although the last five years have been filled with exciting times at HealthKeeperz, they have not come without some challenges and, indeed, scary moments.

I recently reminded some friends that acting in faith or trusting God to move forward into a situation does not mean that we will not be fearful or afraid. As a matter of fact, I am confident that the reason we are told so many times in the Bible, “do not be afraid,” or “do not fear,” is because we are afraid and often do become fearful. This gentle advice comes just as we’re told to believe, because we all struggle with unbelief. It’s part of being human, and part of being a child of God.

Today, and every day, I’m still a little scared and very excited. Why, after five years, is it not different for me, you may ask? Well that’s because life is hard-wired to change. And God has hard-wired us to change, to adapt. And since each day is a new day and has its own unique challenges and is filled with fresh new excitements, then I need to be able to go with the flow. And that flow is ever-changing. And that can be scary and exciting all at the same time.

Allow me to clarify.  When I say that I’m a little scared, what I mean is that it’s the type of scared you feel when you are about to ride that new rollercoaster that free-falls 100 feet in the fourth turn. You have no idea what to expect, but you know two things are for sure: first, you wouldn’t miss this chance for anything, and second,
you know that it just might feel like it was the ride of your life once you’ve made it to the other side.

And when I say that I’m excited, I mean that I’m eager to enjoy all the ways that God will give me Himself as He unfolds new mercies, moment by moment, each day. Listen to what King Solomon wrote in the book of Lamentations 3:22-23.
 
22  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
 23  they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

You see, life is not like the assembly line, where you install the same cog or sprocket 100 times a day, five days a week. Even if you work on the assembly line performing such tasks, each day is a new day. Yes, each new day has its challenges, but my friend, our heavenly Father is the one who is supervising our day. The most supreme challenge is only designed to cause us to supremely trust Him. The greatest joy that we could experience on any given day is designed to lead us to experience our greatest joys in Him.

So, in 2020, remember that every day is “the day that the Lord has made.” Rejoice and be glad in it. “Seize the day.” He has given it to you that He might give you Himself afresh. Let the challenges come! And remind yourself that God is faithful to His people. The mountains of challenge will only come to serve as stepping stones in the exciting walk of change. 

For the glory of God and the good of His people.

Yours In Christ,
Chaplain James Chavis

Surgery is one of the most difficult and demanding experiences that the human body can go through. It’s made even harder in the aftermath, when painstaking rehabilitation efforts and constant visits to specialists feel as though they’ll never end. If this resonates with your experience or that of a loved one, HealthKeeperz can help. We offer a number of at-home services that will help you get back to feeling like your strong self again, without the added stress of traveling outside the house.
 
Therapies
 
Working in tandem with your regular physician, our team of highly skilled health professionals will help you along in the rehabilitation process through physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. It’s amazing what a team of skilled medical therapists can do for your independence and quality of life. Our mission is to help you become as healthy and happy as possible, so all services are delivered straight to your home with the signature warmth and friendliness of HealthKeeperz staff.
 
Home Health Services
 
Following surgery, many patients require help with things that they normally can do alone. Our team of skilled nurses and home health aides will be there to provide that help for as long as you need it. Whether it’s wound care, orthopedic care, cardiac/heart care, or skilled nursing that you need, we’ve got you covered. HealthKeeperz can help ensure that you get all the help you need right at home.
 
Medical Supplies & Equipment
 
The right medical supplies and equipment make a world of difference in effectively managing your care post-surgery. You may find yourself experiencing new difficulties with activities of daily living, like eating and using the restroom; don’t panic. With the right balance of products, you can maintain your independence, dignity, and active lifestyle. HealthKeeperz delivers incontinence supplies, nutritional supplies, catheters, wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, oxygen supplies, and more, straight to your door.
 
Our mission at HealthKeeperz is “caring for all for the glory of God.” Each one of our highly trained home medical specialists embodies this ideal in all that they do. The period immediately following surgery is a tough and trying time, and one that may leave us feeling drained and hopeless. But have hope! HealthKeeperz is there for you and your family during this troubling time, ready to help by delivering a range of medical services and equipment to your home. Visit http://www.healthkeeperz.com/ or call 800-309-3784 to begin a conversation.
 
 
 
 
 

When we create broad, sweeping goals for ourselves at the start of a new year – lose 50 pounds! Yoga every morning! – we set ourselves up for failure. Research shows that making small, digestible changes to our habits is a much more sustainable way to improve our lives. Going all out with major lifestyle changes may leave you feeling great at first, but will almost certainly lead to burnout and a return to your old ways. That means that as you create your 2020 new year’s resolutions, you’re more likely to succeed if you make them small, manageable, realistic goals. Here are just a few ideas that we hope will serve as inspiration as you decide on your 2020 resolutions.
 
1. One Walk Per Day
 
Virtually all of us have 10-15 minutes to spare in a given day. Resolve to spend those minutes going for a walk. Walking has a multitude of health benefits, including lower stress, improved mood, better cognitive function and memory, lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, lower body mass index (BMI), and a longer life. Daily walking increases your metabolism and keeps your body burning calories faster and longer. Need we sing its praises anymore? Walking is a simple yet incredible way to improve health. It may require cutting into your TV time or time spent reading your favorite book, but you’ll reap the benefits immediately, feeling better inside and out.
 
2. Journal Once a Week
 
While the start of a new year is a time when many of us resolve to improve our physical wellness, it’s important not to neglect our mental health. Journaling is a great way to reorient, refocus, and remind yourself what is most important to you. It creates a richer, more intentional experience of life and allows us to get more out of it. When was the last time you gave yourself five minutes to simply be still and think about how you’re feeling? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. But journaling will go a long way in improving your mental wellness. If you’ve never written in a journal before, here are a few questions to get you started:
 

• How do you feel emotionally?
• How do you feel spiritually?
• How do you feel physically?
• What is a passage from the Bible or a quote that has resonated with you recently, and why?

 
3. Try a New Healthy Food Every Month
 
One of the great secrets of sustaining a healthy diet is finding nutritious foods that you actually love to eat. The whole experience becomes less about forcing yourself to do something, and more about enjoying simple pleasures. Granted, it may be harder than finding junk food that tastes good – but delicious healthy food is out there! It all depends on your taste buds and preferences. Start your search for healthy foods you love by trying a new one each month. Kimchi, black beans, pomegranate, dark chocolate, almonds – you name it. Add something different to your grocery cart and experiment with different ways to prepare and eat it. You’re bound to find something you like eventually, so much so that you can easily incorporate it into your regular diet. In addition to improving your physical health, trying new things is good for the brain – it helps prevent us from getting into ruts, and keeps us young.