A few weeks ago I was at a street fair. There was a live band playing cover songs and a roped in area for people to stand and listen. The area was empty, except for one little girl, probably around 5 years old. She was wearing a yellow sundress and she was dancing. Do you remember how boys danced at the high school Homecoming dance? The movement was almost imperceptible, feet barely stepping side to side, the occasional head bob. Well, this was nothing like that. This was all out, full-body dancing, spinning, twirling, jumping, arms waving. She looked exactly how I want to feel- exuberant, alive, and free.
Don’t worry, I’m not about to tell you to dance like no one is watching. I am going to ask when the last time was that you felt exuberant, alive, and free. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Saint Irenaeus wrote, “The glory of God is man fully alive.” Do you feel fully alive? Do you feel like a clean mirror, able to radiantly reflect the glory of God? I want to be clear; I am not talking about a life free from struggles or pain. Rather, I am talking about a living fully engaged, renewed, refreshed, spiritually and emotionally filled. I believe this is how we were made to live, but that very few people actually live this way.
I have loved the movie Princess Bride for most of my life. In one of my favorite scenes, the hero, Wesley, has been tortured to death. His comrades bring him to Miracle Max to see if anything can be done. Max examines Wesley and says that he’s seen worse. He declares Wesley “mostly dead” and says “mostly dead is slightly alive.” I believe that many of us go through life only slightly alive. We say that we have claimed new life in Christ, yet we still live as though we were more dead than alive.
There are many, many reasons why you may be living only slightly alive. Some are spiritual, some are physical, some are psychological. If you are not living fully alive, the reasons why are bound to be complex. Some of these reasons may be very deep, and may require intense spiritual and/or psychological intervention. But for some of us, there may be no big reason why we aren’t living life to the fullest. Instead, it’s dozens of small choices and irritations that harden us and separate us from the life we were made to live. Just like little rodents can ruin a beautiful garden, seemingly insignificant choices can separate us from our fullest life. I am going to spend the next two posts exploring some of these small choices that slowly sabotage the full life we could be living.
For now, I challenge you to think about what Miracle Max might say about you. Are you only slightly alive? When was the last time you felt exuberant, alive, and free? Picture yourself there. Where were you? Who was around? What made that moment so special? These are important questions. As you look back on that memory, ask yourself how you can add more of those moments to your life. If you have a hard time finding a memory, it’s probably time to make some changes.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Holding Back
This weekend we watched the movie Defiance. It’s a World War II movie, based on a true story. Honestly it is not the type of movie I’m usually drawn to, but the story has stuck with me. It is the story of the Bielskis, brothers who lead a forest community of Jews in what has been called “the largest armed rescue operation of Jews by Jews in World War II” (amazon.com review of Defiance: The Bielski Partisans). The brothers fight for and protect their people, and are successful despite unbelievable odds. They are flawed and unlikely heroes (aren’t most heroes flawed and unlikely?), yet the descendants of those they helped save now number in the tens of thousands.
And I wonder how the world would be different if these brothers hadn’t stepped up in such a big way. What if they had refused leadership? Refused to fight? What if they had held back, too afraid or unsure to offer themselves?
Most of us don’t feel like our lives are lived on such a grand scale as the Bielskis. Our day to day lives don’t seem to have that kind of impact. We don’t see any opportunities for heroism in our routines and duties. So it feels okay to hold back, to pass through life on auto-pilot. You can tell that most people are holding back…you see it in their eyes, hear it in their words. For goodness sake, you see it in their hunched up, eyes down, don’t-notice-me posture.
I believe this is a big mistake. You are important. You matter. Your life, which to you can seem mundane and dull, matters. This is not just “feel good, positive psychology.” It is truth. What you do, how you live matters. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are God’s creation, knit together by His hand, fearfully and wonderfully made. He has made us and He has tasks that we were specifically made to do. Not just “we” as in a large group of people, but you. He has things that He has specifically made for you to do, opportunities that only you can fulfill. So it is important, vitally important, that you step up and stop holding back.
There are two main ways that people hold back. Some people hold back by hiding. They may believe that they have nothing special to offer, nothing really to share. In small groups they are quiet, unsure of what to add or contribute. They sit on the sidelines and watch. Others hide by pretending, by faking it. Have you ever been in an argument with someone and the phone rings? One of you answers, using your “everything is fine, so glad you called” voice. Well, the pretenders live their life sharing only that voice. They may lead groups, they may speak up, but they are sharing only what they think people want to hear. Neither one is offering their true self; both are holding back.
People have a lot of good reasons for hiding. Offering your true self, your heart, your courage, and your strength can be terrifying. It is a vulnerable act, and it is extremely risky. People may mock you, they may discourage you, they may misunderstand you. Look at David and Goliath. David was stepping up in a big way when he offered to fight Goliath. He was a boy, not even a soldier, and in front of an army of men he offered to fight the giant. Goliath mocked David, but I bet the words from his older brother struck even deeper “Why have you come down here? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is” (1 Samuel 17:28). But David did not let these words stop him. He stepped up, he refused to hold back, and God used him to slay the giant. I wonder what giants could be slain if more of us were willing to step up.
And so I challenge you to look at your life. Where are you holding back? Where are you hiding or pretending instead of offering yourself? What relationship are you holding back in, reluctant to pursue a deeper connection or confront an issue? What gift are you afraid to share? Where are you tempted to act small? Where do you want to speak up, to offer yourself, but hesitate? What is stopping you?
And I wonder how the world would be different if these brothers hadn’t stepped up in such a big way. What if they had refused leadership? Refused to fight? What if they had held back, too afraid or unsure to offer themselves?
Most of us don’t feel like our lives are lived on such a grand scale as the Bielskis. Our day to day lives don’t seem to have that kind of impact. We don’t see any opportunities for heroism in our routines and duties. So it feels okay to hold back, to pass through life on auto-pilot. You can tell that most people are holding back…you see it in their eyes, hear it in their words. For goodness sake, you see it in their hunched up, eyes down, don’t-notice-me posture.
I believe this is a big mistake. You are important. You matter. Your life, which to you can seem mundane and dull, matters. This is not just “feel good, positive psychology.” It is truth. What you do, how you live matters. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are God’s creation, knit together by His hand, fearfully and wonderfully made. He has made us and He has tasks that we were specifically made to do. Not just “we” as in a large group of people, but you. He has things that He has specifically made for you to do, opportunities that only you can fulfill. So it is important, vitally important, that you step up and stop holding back.
There are two main ways that people hold back. Some people hold back by hiding. They may believe that they have nothing special to offer, nothing really to share. In small groups they are quiet, unsure of what to add or contribute. They sit on the sidelines and watch. Others hide by pretending, by faking it. Have you ever been in an argument with someone and the phone rings? One of you answers, using your “everything is fine, so glad you called” voice. Well, the pretenders live their life sharing only that voice. They may lead groups, they may speak up, but they are sharing only what they think people want to hear. Neither one is offering their true self; both are holding back.
People have a lot of good reasons for hiding. Offering your true self, your heart, your courage, and your strength can be terrifying. It is a vulnerable act, and it is extremely risky. People may mock you, they may discourage you, they may misunderstand you. Look at David and Goliath. David was stepping up in a big way when he offered to fight Goliath. He was a boy, not even a soldier, and in front of an army of men he offered to fight the giant. Goliath mocked David, but I bet the words from his older brother struck even deeper “Why have you come down here? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is” (1 Samuel 17:28). But David did not let these words stop him. He stepped up, he refused to hold back, and God used him to slay the giant. I wonder what giants could be slain if more of us were willing to step up.
And so I challenge you to look at your life. Where are you holding back? Where are you hiding or pretending instead of offering yourself? What relationship are you holding back in, reluctant to pursue a deeper connection or confront an issue? What gift are you afraid to share? Where are you tempted to act small? Where do you want to speak up, to offer yourself, but hesitate? What is stopping you?
Monday, August 16, 2010
Investing in Your Marriage
As a bride and groom near their wedding day, they often receive two very different messages about marriage. One is the message promoted by eternal optimists, romantic comedies, and the entire wedding industry. These voices gleefully speak of fairy tales, wedded bliss, and happily ever after. The other message is often spoken more softly, but with equal intensity. It says that marriage is incredibly hard and that happily ever after is only a myth. This message is often spoken with the bitterness of loneliness and unmet expectations. It seems rare to hear a message in between these extremes.
I believe that both of these messages contain part of the truth. Every marriage has struggles and hard times. And marriage can be a wonderful, transformative experience that God uses for His glory and for your good. The best marriages are filled with laughter, tears, joy, pain, hurt feelings, forgiveness, and shared adventure.
I often hear people say that “a good marriage takes work,” and I wonder what that means to them. Certainly a strong marriage requires intentionally addressing and resolving conflict. A successful marriage requires both partners to choose to love, forgive, and stay when the easy choice would be to reject, harbor resentment, and walk away. These choices most definitely require effort and work. But is that the extent of the work that goes into marriage; is working on your marriage limited to times of conflict and stress?
I believe that there is a kind of work necessary for a thriving marriage that has nothing to do with what happens in times of discord and struggle. Perhaps work is even the wrong word. Maybe a better phrase would be “a healthy marriage takes investment.”
Complacency is one of the biggest enemies of marriage. Our bodies need food and water to continue to function. Our appliances need electricity. Why do we expect our marriage to continue to function without regularly being nourished? And yet, it certainly becomes easy to loose track of our marriage in the hectic pace of a busy life. The demands of schedules, jobs, and children make it difficult to find time to genuinely connect. It can be easy to wake up one morning and not remember the last time you really made eye contact with your spouse, let alone had a decent conversation. But marriage requires intentional investment to grow; without this investment, couples end up either angry and resentful of one another or disconnected, living as roommates but not true partners.
Most people know and like the idea of weekly date night, but beyond that find it difficult to identify ways to invest in their marriage. And, when a weekly date night is difficult to implement because of financial constraints or lack of childcare, it can be a challenging to come up with ways to make the marital relationship a priority while managing life. Here are a few suggestions for investing in your relationship with your spouse:
• Share meals together with minimal distractions. Turn off the TV and computer and put away the newspaper. Make eye contact and share conversation while you eat.
• Have daily check-ins. Share the highs and lows of your day with one another. This will give you insight into what brings your spouse joy and what he or she finds challenging or difficult.
• Choose one night a week to “unplug.” Turn off the phones, computer, TV, and video games for a set amount of time. Use this night for talking to one another, playing games, or reading together.
• Kiss each other when you part ways for the day and when you return to each other. This simple act reinforces that you value one another and are happy to see each other again.
• Ask your spouse how you can love him/her better. You may be surprised by the answer and how easy it is to better care for your husband or wife.
• Look for things you like about your spouse. Do you appreciate how kind your husband is to the teller at the bank? Did your wife make you laugh out loud at the end of a long day? Take note of these things and tell your spouse...as well as other people. Thinking kind thoughts about your spouse impacts your overall attitude towards him or her. Saying kind words takes it a step farther.
• Discuss your priorities for your family. Examine how your lifestyle reflects these priorities, and if necessary, make changes.
• Share something. A movie, a hobby, a joke, a chore, an ice cream sundae. The shared experience is an opportunity to draw closer to one another.
• Pray together. Nothing builds connection like coming before the Lord together and sharing your hearts with Him.
• Create rituals for the two of you. Maybe you go for a walk on Monday nights or make popcorn on Thursdays after the kids are in bed. Maybe you go to the same restaurant every year for your anniversary. These rituals set aside time to honor your relationship.
Daily investment in your marriage can be as simple as some of these suggestions. Some days it may feel natural and easy to invest in your marriage; other days it can seem to require unimaginable energy and effort. On the easy days and on the hard days, it is incredibly important. How do you invest in your marriage?
I believe that both of these messages contain part of the truth. Every marriage has struggles and hard times. And marriage can be a wonderful, transformative experience that God uses for His glory and for your good. The best marriages are filled with laughter, tears, joy, pain, hurt feelings, forgiveness, and shared adventure.
I often hear people say that “a good marriage takes work,” and I wonder what that means to them. Certainly a strong marriage requires intentionally addressing and resolving conflict. A successful marriage requires both partners to choose to love, forgive, and stay when the easy choice would be to reject, harbor resentment, and walk away. These choices most definitely require effort and work. But is that the extent of the work that goes into marriage; is working on your marriage limited to times of conflict and stress?
I believe that there is a kind of work necessary for a thriving marriage that has nothing to do with what happens in times of discord and struggle. Perhaps work is even the wrong word. Maybe a better phrase would be “a healthy marriage takes investment.”
Complacency is one of the biggest enemies of marriage. Our bodies need food and water to continue to function. Our appliances need electricity. Why do we expect our marriage to continue to function without regularly being nourished? And yet, it certainly becomes easy to loose track of our marriage in the hectic pace of a busy life. The demands of schedules, jobs, and children make it difficult to find time to genuinely connect. It can be easy to wake up one morning and not remember the last time you really made eye contact with your spouse, let alone had a decent conversation. But marriage requires intentional investment to grow; without this investment, couples end up either angry and resentful of one another or disconnected, living as roommates but not true partners.
Most people know and like the idea of weekly date night, but beyond that find it difficult to identify ways to invest in their marriage. And, when a weekly date night is difficult to implement because of financial constraints or lack of childcare, it can be a challenging to come up with ways to make the marital relationship a priority while managing life. Here are a few suggestions for investing in your relationship with your spouse:
• Share meals together with minimal distractions. Turn off the TV and computer and put away the newspaper. Make eye contact and share conversation while you eat.
• Have daily check-ins. Share the highs and lows of your day with one another. This will give you insight into what brings your spouse joy and what he or she finds challenging or difficult.
• Choose one night a week to “unplug.” Turn off the phones, computer, TV, and video games for a set amount of time. Use this night for talking to one another, playing games, or reading together.
• Kiss each other when you part ways for the day and when you return to each other. This simple act reinforces that you value one another and are happy to see each other again.
• Ask your spouse how you can love him/her better. You may be surprised by the answer and how easy it is to better care for your husband or wife.
• Look for things you like about your spouse. Do you appreciate how kind your husband is to the teller at the bank? Did your wife make you laugh out loud at the end of a long day? Take note of these things and tell your spouse...as well as other people. Thinking kind thoughts about your spouse impacts your overall attitude towards him or her. Saying kind words takes it a step farther.
• Discuss your priorities for your family. Examine how your lifestyle reflects these priorities, and if necessary, make changes.
• Share something. A movie, a hobby, a joke, a chore, an ice cream sundae. The shared experience is an opportunity to draw closer to one another.
• Pray together. Nothing builds connection like coming before the Lord together and sharing your hearts with Him.
• Create rituals for the two of you. Maybe you go for a walk on Monday nights or make popcorn on Thursdays after the kids are in bed. Maybe you go to the same restaurant every year for your anniversary. These rituals set aside time to honor your relationship.
Daily investment in your marriage can be as simple as some of these suggestions. Some days it may feel natural and easy to invest in your marriage; other days it can seem to require unimaginable energy and effort. On the easy days and on the hard days, it is incredibly important. How do you invest in your marriage?
Monday, August 9, 2010
When Feelings Aren't Fun
A friend recently recounted an interesting conversation she had with her husband. They were discussing emotions and wondering if it was appropriate to label emotions as either positive or negative. Are happiness, excitement, peace, and tenderness positive emotions, while anger, grief, sadness, and fear are negative emotions?
My initial reaction was to say that I don’t believe emotions are positive or negative; some are pleasant to experience, others are unpleasant. All are necessary. Placing a value judgment on an emotion seems to imply that it should be avoided, and this would be neither healthy nor possible. However, I soon realized that it wasn’t such a simple question. Emotions and what we do with them are an important and weighty topic; the kind of topic that entire books are written about, and certainly a worthy topic for reflection.
These reflections led me to consider the function of emotions. Every emotion serves a purpose. Chip Dodd wrote that “emotions are the voice of the heart.” Our emotions speak to us about what is happening in our heart, in our truest core. The Bible sets the heart in a position of utmost importance; “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If emotions speak for our hearts, they must be very important. The joy we feel in laughter, the excitement of an upcoming vacation, the tenderness we feel toward our families, all reveal truths about what is happening in our heart. And, anger, sadness, and grief do the same. They speak to us about loss, perceived injustice, and pain.
Revelation 21:4 says that in heaven “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” There will be a day when sorrow, suffering, and injustice are no more. And in that time, anger, fear, and sadness will be tools that our hearts no longer need. They will be put aside, as our hearts have only joy, happiness, love, peace, and tenderness to speak. Until then, our hearts need all these tools to speak, to connect to others and to God, and to inform us.
My primary concern in labeling emotions as negative is that we will then try and avoid them. This is problematic on two levels. First, it’s not possible. As long as we live in a reality where pain and suffering and injustice live, we will experience emotions that do not feel pleasant. Despite the fact that it’s not possible to avoid emotions that don’t feel good, some people do quite the job trying. By disconnecting and disengaging from their heart, they learn not to hear the voice of their emotions. They may very rarely feel sadness, grief, or anger. This is denial, and it is not living in reality. If God is in reality, then to live in denial is to live disconnected from God.
I have heard many people disparage these “unpleasant emotions.” I frequently hear people say that they cannot trust their emotions, that emotions are foolish. And yes, it would be foolish to act from emotions alone. We need the reason that also exists in our hearts, and we need to choose our actions and responses wisely. But acting without acknowledging our emotions is also foolish.
This line of reasoning may fit easily when thinking about emotions related to major life events. Sure, we feel sadness and grief over a loss. But what about when you feel angry that your 4 month old won’t stop crying, or that your spouse is home late for dinner? What if you are irritated because the commuter next to you won’t stop snapping his gum? What if you are sad because your watch broke? Even these emotions, often labeled petty, are messages from our hearts. We need to hear these messages, identify and experience them, and then move forward. Anger usually speaks of a perceived injustice. So what does anger at a crying baby say? Well, not having a quiet moment to sleep, eat, or shower certainly feels unfair! We can experience this anger, identify it, and decide what to do with it. We can choose to continue to care for the screaming child, and begin to take some slow, deep breaths. We can remind ourselves that all babies cry and that this will not last forever. We can make a phone call to a friend, asking if they will come watch the baby and give us a short break. We can say a prayer and ask for strength and patience beyond what we currently have. These choices certainly seem preferable to ignoring the message from our emotions, which can lead to dramatic outbursts or an overall numbing of the heart, neither of which is desirable.
Some emotions aren’t pleasant and do not feel good. However, they are necessary, and they speak of our hearts in ways that can challenge and inform us. It is important to acknowledge our emotions and consider what they are telling us. What do you think about this challenging topic?
My initial reaction was to say that I don’t believe emotions are positive or negative; some are pleasant to experience, others are unpleasant. All are necessary. Placing a value judgment on an emotion seems to imply that it should be avoided, and this would be neither healthy nor possible. However, I soon realized that it wasn’t such a simple question. Emotions and what we do with them are an important and weighty topic; the kind of topic that entire books are written about, and certainly a worthy topic for reflection.
These reflections led me to consider the function of emotions. Every emotion serves a purpose. Chip Dodd wrote that “emotions are the voice of the heart.” Our emotions speak to us about what is happening in our heart, in our truest core. The Bible sets the heart in a position of utmost importance; “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If emotions speak for our hearts, they must be very important. The joy we feel in laughter, the excitement of an upcoming vacation, the tenderness we feel toward our families, all reveal truths about what is happening in our heart. And, anger, sadness, and grief do the same. They speak to us about loss, perceived injustice, and pain.
Revelation 21:4 says that in heaven “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” There will be a day when sorrow, suffering, and injustice are no more. And in that time, anger, fear, and sadness will be tools that our hearts no longer need. They will be put aside, as our hearts have only joy, happiness, love, peace, and tenderness to speak. Until then, our hearts need all these tools to speak, to connect to others and to God, and to inform us.
My primary concern in labeling emotions as negative is that we will then try and avoid them. This is problematic on two levels. First, it’s not possible. As long as we live in a reality where pain and suffering and injustice live, we will experience emotions that do not feel pleasant. Despite the fact that it’s not possible to avoid emotions that don’t feel good, some people do quite the job trying. By disconnecting and disengaging from their heart, they learn not to hear the voice of their emotions. They may very rarely feel sadness, grief, or anger. This is denial, and it is not living in reality. If God is in reality, then to live in denial is to live disconnected from God.
I have heard many people disparage these “unpleasant emotions.” I frequently hear people say that they cannot trust their emotions, that emotions are foolish. And yes, it would be foolish to act from emotions alone. We need the reason that also exists in our hearts, and we need to choose our actions and responses wisely. But acting without acknowledging our emotions is also foolish.
This line of reasoning may fit easily when thinking about emotions related to major life events. Sure, we feel sadness and grief over a loss. But what about when you feel angry that your 4 month old won’t stop crying, or that your spouse is home late for dinner? What if you are irritated because the commuter next to you won’t stop snapping his gum? What if you are sad because your watch broke? Even these emotions, often labeled petty, are messages from our hearts. We need to hear these messages, identify and experience them, and then move forward. Anger usually speaks of a perceived injustice. So what does anger at a crying baby say? Well, not having a quiet moment to sleep, eat, or shower certainly feels unfair! We can experience this anger, identify it, and decide what to do with it. We can choose to continue to care for the screaming child, and begin to take some slow, deep breaths. We can remind ourselves that all babies cry and that this will not last forever. We can make a phone call to a friend, asking if they will come watch the baby and give us a short break. We can say a prayer and ask for strength and patience beyond what we currently have. These choices certainly seem preferable to ignoring the message from our emotions, which can lead to dramatic outbursts or an overall numbing of the heart, neither of which is desirable.
Some emotions aren’t pleasant and do not feel good. However, they are necessary, and they speak of our hearts in ways that can challenge and inform us. It is important to acknowledge our emotions and consider what they are telling us. What do you think about this challenging topic?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Beginning
I experience a sense of awe every time I hold a brand new baby. This tiny little creature, with unbelievably small fingernails, soft eyelashes, and wrinkled skin is a brand new person. Part of what hits me is the newness of the infant. Who will this baby be? What will his temperament be? What joys and heartbreaks lay ahead, what potential drifts to sleep in my arms? It feels hopeful to think these thoughts. Hopeful and a bit frightening.
That is how beginnings often are. A new home, a new job, a move, a marriage. Each of these beginnings holds so much possibility, so much hope, potential, and opportunity. And, right next to these hopes and dreams sits a bit of fear. There is risk in beginnings, in adventure.
And this, this is a beginning. In March, 2010 the Professional Services branch of the Upper Valley Compassionate Care Center (UVCCC) officially opened. The UVCCC is a faith-based, non-profit organization with the vision of providing high standards of professional care and peer support from a Christian perspective. We were started by a group of people who noticed a scarcity of resources for people who were hurting, and who wanted desperately to help. The UVCCC has two branches: professional services and peer support. Our staff consists of trained volunteers and caring, well-qualified professional counselors. We are committed to helping people grow, heal, and recover and are here to serve all members of the community, regardless of religious background or affiliation.
My name is Lauren Shaw, and I am a psychologist at the UVCCC. I also coordinate professional services at the center. I offer individual counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as couples and family counseling. One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 5:18, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." This is the calling I feel on my life...to join in this ministry of reconciliation, helping people to reconcile and reconnect with their own hearts, with others, and with God through Christ.
I will be writing this blog as a tool to aid in that mission. My hope is that I will provide a useful resource for those journeying into a deeper, richer life and more engaged, connected relationships. I am open to any suggestions for topics or information that may be useful or encouraging.
In many ways, the UVCCC is similar to a new child. We are a new ministry, fresh with hopes and dreams for what the future may hold. We are excited to see what God will do, how He will use us in the work He is doing. We are filled with hope and excitement. And, we believe we were made for adventures like these, for risking big and watching Him work.
That is how beginnings often are. A new home, a new job, a move, a marriage. Each of these beginnings holds so much possibility, so much hope, potential, and opportunity. And, right next to these hopes and dreams sits a bit of fear. There is risk in beginnings, in adventure.
And this, this is a beginning. In March, 2010 the Professional Services branch of the Upper Valley Compassionate Care Center (UVCCC) officially opened. The UVCCC is a faith-based, non-profit organization with the vision of providing high standards of professional care and peer support from a Christian perspective. We were started by a group of people who noticed a scarcity of resources for people who were hurting, and who wanted desperately to help. The UVCCC has two branches: professional services and peer support. Our staff consists of trained volunteers and caring, well-qualified professional counselors. We are committed to helping people grow, heal, and recover and are here to serve all members of the community, regardless of religious background or affiliation.
My name is Lauren Shaw, and I am a psychologist at the UVCCC. I also coordinate professional services at the center. I offer individual counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as couples and family counseling. One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 5:18, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." This is the calling I feel on my life...to join in this ministry of reconciliation, helping people to reconcile and reconnect with their own hearts, with others, and with God through Christ.
I will be writing this blog as a tool to aid in that mission. My hope is that I will provide a useful resource for those journeying into a deeper, richer life and more engaged, connected relationships. I am open to any suggestions for topics or information that may be useful or encouraging.
In many ways, the UVCCC is similar to a new child. We are a new ministry, fresh with hopes and dreams for what the future may hold. We are excited to see what God will do, how He will use us in the work He is doing. We are filled with hope and excitement. And, we believe we were made for adventures like these, for risking big and watching Him work.
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