BE INTENTIONAL
Be I.N.T.E.N.T.I.O.N.A.L.
by Dawn Lawless
Be intentional, be mindful, be authentic, be true, be, be, be, be…
BUT I DON’T WANNA BE…
As a reformed rebel (still in process), this mind set of nonconformity has painfully led to me “hitting bottom” more times than I’d like to admit. Reflecting on some of my history actually makes me cringe, but as a survivor, I own these struggles. They are unique to my story, and I find comfort in knowing that God was INTENTIONAL when he allowed me to suffer.
GET THIS…He DID NOT cause my suffering; he allowed it. He knew when I toured the terrain of independence I would learn to depend on him, so he allowed me to suffer natural consequences for MY choices. For this, I am grateful.
Each month our counseling center selects a Christ-like theme to focus our attention. These themes are designed with transformative power to provoke personal change that will ultimately lead to healthier families and a healthier community. #bethechange
BE INTENTIONAL is our June theme. It is instructional by nature; it is a verb, and it calls us to set accomplishable goals on a daily basis. As one whose tank fills up when the lists are marked off, I love the attributes of this theme, but I wonder if it is enough…
I DON’T THINK SO. In John 6:26-29, Jesus teaches his followers to reach beyond the surface to a deeper level of intentionality. He calls them to be intentional, not just in their actions, but in their hearts and their minds.
26Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
WOW! Jesus admonishes their anxieties about the daily tasks (getting food), and instead, encourages them to simply believe…To believe in the one He (The Father) has sent.
This passage encourages us to see beyond our limited perspective, and to focus not on our physical needs, but on Him, and Him alone. He loves us and knows our needs, and he is calling us to be intentional beyond our daily, physical needs. Jesus is calling us to change our perspective-our mind set-our beliefs. He’s asking us to trust His will for our lives, so we can experience the fullness of spiritual freedom with an eternal perspective.
I challenge you to be intentional with your thoughts this month. Meditate on these verses, and experience God’s transforming love through his gift of freedom. Philipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His Kingdom and his righteous, and all these things will be given you as well.”
CALL TO ACTION
Stop the stigma of mental illness by supporting our efforts. Your input matters! If this were cancer, you wouldn’t just say, “Get over it!” Be a trend-setter, and make a difference by taking these few action steps toward a healthier community.
PRAY for the mental health of our community.
TALK about mental health with your family and friends.
COMMIT to getting involved to be the change.
SHARE this newsletter with 3 people you know who may be passionate about the mental health of our community.
DONATE $25/month to support our counseling ministry.
***To get involved and learn how you can BE THE CHANGE this year, contact us at charlotte@counselingconnect ions.org.
To connect with Dawn Lawless, LCSW, LSOTP directly, email her at dawn@counselingconnections.org
Become an Ambassador for Change
Animal Assisted Therapy
She is a 2 year-old Maltese who loves children, teenagers, and adults – basically anyone who greets her with a smile or rubs her fur. Roxy is sure to give a friendly welcome to clients at Counseling Connections for Change and is trained and certified to participate in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), along with her owner Peggy Martin, LPC.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) uses trained animals to enhance an individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being, thus improving self-esteem, reducing anxiety, and facilitating healing. There is a strong bond between animals and people. Animals offer unconditional love, acceptance, and understanding which makes it easier for people to open up. Interacting with a friendly pet can help many physical and mental issues. Rubbing an animal’s fur can lower your blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins that produce a calming effect.
Roxy is perceptive to people’s feelings and often responds accordingly. At times, she’s playful and does tricks to cheer someone up. But, there are also occasions when a client may be distressed and she goes and puts her head in their lap or snuggles against them. Research has validated what every pet owner already knows: interactions with animals can reduce our stress levels and increase our sense of well-being. Anxiety melts away as we stroke our cat or play with our dog. Animals create enormous motivation in people of all ages and can be an integral component in the success of therapeutic treatment.
Peggy Martin received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from University of Houston Clear Lake. With a variety of experiences as a teacher and school counselor, Peggy has a heart for helping adults, teenagers, children and families work through difficult situations. She specializes in working with people during periods of adjustment, transition, and loss. Peggy is committed to helping people reconcile difficult life experiences and create new, more fulfilling ones. Hope, healing, and the love of Jesus Christ are offered in a safe and compassionate manner.
Peggy worked with Duke University’s Gifted and Talented Summer Studies program where she served on the administrative team and counseled adolescents, college students, parents, and faculty. She is also a certified Prepare-Enrich counselor who delights in working with engaged couples to build strong, God-honoring marriages.
Upcoming Events
We are thrilled to invite you to join us for a the reveal of an innovative project for a creative collaboration in Pearland. Spearheaded by the Foundation for Creative Leadership, this project will bring 5 different local 501c3 non-profits together for the common goal of creating an outdoor mural and a safe and inviting outdoor space at Counseling Connections.
The nonprofits collaborating on this project are as follows: Counseling Connections for Change, Inc., Foundation for Creative Leadership, Keep Pearland Beautiful, Pearland Arts League, and Pearland Alliance for Arts and Culture.
Weekly planning meetings have been taking place since early May and are continuing through June. We are amazed when we see this group of individuals come together each week to make plans for this beautiful space that will include a pergola, benches, fountain, and mural. It has been a blessing!!!
The final reveal of the mural will happen on Saturday, June 24 and will be followed by a community BBQ and a family fun day celebration. We hope you will join us. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact charlotte@ counselingconnections.org
2549 Roy Road, Pearland, TX 77581 281-485-9280, fax: 281-485-9070; www.counselingconnections.org
Copyright © 2017 Counseling Connections for Change, Inc., All rights reserved.
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