Chapel Dedication Remarks - On New -

Below are my remarks, and blessing on the congregation, for the chapel dedication. 

I like “new.” New white t-shirts, new Dansko clogs, new foods, new places, new experiences. And the hospital has been a place for “new” for me for many years. Here I became a new mother – two beautiful children. And even, here I’ve watched my children become new parents, making me a new grandmother!

Many of you have had a relationship similar making you new – birth, what a beautiful word. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”

Several years after becoming a new parent, and having spent a few days over the span of several years in this hospital, I experienced another “new.” I found a lump in my breast, and I underwent surgery and cancer treatments. In many ways, this was a tragic new – treatments, while life-saving, made me sick, made me tremble with fear, wondering if I would even live to see another day. Because of this, I received a “new” lease on life. I have a new perspective on life, a new appreciation for my body and for healthcare providers. And I have a new faith; a stronger faith in my Higher Power and a stronger belief in the healing power of medicine, prayer, and community.

Corrie Ten Boom preached, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Many of you have seen or experienced similar. Time in a hospital brings with it a frightening sense of new – new ways of living, new ways of caring for someone, new outlooks on life.

Theologian Henri Nouwen wrote, “Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy, it will open a new place in our hearts.”

In 1 Peter 5:10 we read, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Here at Utah Valley Hospital we have experienced many “news” over the past several years. New documentation system, new Intermountain structure, a new name – no longer Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, rather – Utah Valley Hospital; and, new buildings - new offices, new surgery rooms, new patient rooms, new ways of working with those we care for.

“New” can be uncomfortable, forcing us into experiences we may not choose for ourselves. And yet, with all of this new, comes growth. The opportunity to learn more about ourselves and those we care for.

And here we are today in a “new” chapel! It is my hope that we can find respite here, a place to pray, contemplate, worship, find our center, in the new and change that surrounds us (the changes are ongoing here at the hospital and in our own lives). And particularly, I hope that as this is hospital is a place to begin healing and keep our patients as comfortable as possible, that you may find healing and comfort here in the chapel. LDS Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said, “If life gets too hard to stand, kneel.” Come here; this is your chapel.

From the Dalai Lama, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Blessing: I leave with each of you today, my blessing, as it comes from Psalm 121:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

It is my hope and my prayer that you will be watched over, particularly when “new” comes your way.

Amen.