Rooted in What Matters
Hello Friends,
June is here and summer is arriving for students and families all over northern Virginia. As a family-focused practice, we hope you take some time this month to appreciate the fathers and other important men in your life (husbands, brothers, teachers, coaches, pastors, etc.). We need strong, honest men with integrity and leadership qualities to enrich all of our lives. May you find good men in your life to appreciate and celebrate this coming Father’s Day.
For the ladies out there, we hope you’ll consider joining a summer Bible study through Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg to stay connected and grow in your faith over the coming weeks. I will be one of the speakers in a series on “Becoming a Titus 2 Woman.” For more information on the study and to register, check out the events page at Cornerstone’s website.
FEATURED BLOG
A Biblical Response to the Rising Support for Sex for Sale
People are not things, and no amount of equivocation or justification makes it otherwise. Shouting ‘empowerment’ and ‘autonomy’ does not excuse exploitation and desecration of the holy temple of God.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
GIRLS®
by Freya India
“The lie we have been told is that we need less commitment, not more. That the problem is other people, and the constraints they put on us.
“But this is a tragic way to think. Tragic because it is putting young people on a trajectory to miss out on what actually matters. There is no love without vulnerability. There is no life without risk. Loneliness is not empowerment.” (p. 246-247)
India is a Gen Z author who relies on a mix of research and personal experience to comment on the cultural experience of growing up in a tech- and social media-saturated culture. India examines the impact of giving pre-teen and adolescent girls unfettered online access, proposing that common adolescent struggles become amplified and monetized online to the detriment of girls and society as a whole. Though her message is sobering, India’s insights highlight what’s at stake and offer hope for how to preserve health and strength in the next generation.
MONTHLY PICKS
CARRINGTON'S CORNER
Reflections for faithful living
SUMMER SENSORY ACTIVITIES
Longer days and warmer temps are a great reason to get up and get moving with sensory-rich activities that stimulate health, connection, and well being. Here are a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing.
Sight:
Hike to a waterfall or an overlook with a view
Experiment with your camera–find a familiar area and take photos that play with texture, framing, close-ups, or other unique ways of seeing
Hearing
Listen to an entire album from a new (to you) musical artist
Go outside, close your eyes for several minutes, and identify as many sounds as you can.
Touch
Plant flowers, knead bread dough, or build a sandcastle
Walk barefoot around the block and feel the grass, dirt, sidewalk, or asphalt beneath your feet
Smell
Find and make a new recipe based on a favorite aroma–garlic, basil, mint, or fresh warm berries
Mow the lawn or go outside and breathe in after a hard rain
Taste
Enjoy the fruits of your culinary labor after finding that new recipe above!
Purchase fresh produce from a summer market or grow your own vegetables or herbs to use
TRAVEL TIP FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Unfamiliar surroundings and disrupted routines can create tension for couples and families, despite our hopes that vacation will help us relax. Expectations of the perfect trip can add unnecessary pressure that undermines enjoyment. When traveling with your loved ones, focus on the quality of connection, not the day’s agenda or orchestrating the best photo op. Warm memories are worth putting your attention in the right places.
“For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.”
Proverbs 2:
As we progress through the first year since opening our office doors, we here at 3FS face the continual challenge of reaching those most in need of the services we offer. We know the power of connection and humbly seek your feedback.
If we have been an encouragement to you in any way–through our website or blog, on social media, at an event, in a workshop, or through our in-office therapy services, we hope you’ll consider letting us know. We cherish your engagement and continue to seek ways to support individuals and families toward health. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Walking with you,
Carrington