Seeking Rest- #spiritualwhitespace

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.  All opinions are mine.

Back on June 3 I wrote this post.  I had planned to be done with Finding Spiritual Whitespace and write a review last week but- well- life happened and it didn't.  Then, the more I tried to read it the more it just didn't seem to be "working" and I seemed to be forcing it.  I finally put it down and read other books.  Then came the review week- I really needed to buckle down and get going.  I ended up having an "emergency" dr appt to go over some test results- which I was (and still am) extremely anxious about (but unable to discuss right now until I get more info).  I was sitting there reading and all of a sudden came to chapter 16 "A Love Note".  I felt as if I could have written the first part and then, I read the second part and knew that God wanted me to read it, in that moment, at that time.  The chapter talks about the one word that God placed on your heart today- as I read the word that kept coming to mind was trust. Bonnie starts the section by saying "Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to hear God say something new.  But there are seasons where one word is more than enough.  Sometimes one word trickles into a series of soul conversations and takes us on a weeklong, monthlong, or yearlong journey to savor, cry over, and explores with Jesus."  Trust- my heart whispered, simply trust.  You don't know what is going on, you don't know where this journey is taking you BUT, I do.  Lysa TerKeurst mentions in her book Made to Crave about the phrase "but God"- this is one of those times when it was a "but God" breathed into my heart, into my soul.  While I am still seeking answers and waiting on phone calls- I am choosing to listen to that voice, to rest and find that whitespace with Him.

In this book Bonnie tells her story- her journey through her struggles and her freedom found in the resting.  While I could not relate to her story, I could relate to the journey.  Because, the bottom line is, we don't all have the same story nor the same journey but the rest and freedom found at the end of our story is the same, if we allow Christ to work through it.  The book is divided into 6 parts and it's not meant to be hurried through- take your time, read each chapter, participate in the prompts at the end of the chapters and really find out what God is saying to you before moving on.  The very last chapter Bonnie provides a menu of ways to "awaken your soul to rest".  My plan is very simple- to go back through that last chapter and use her suggestions to "tell my story."

I want to leave you with two thoughts from Bonnie:

"We can move out of the gate because he goes before us.  He'll carry us back when we fall.  You and I were meant to go on new journeys, to pursue desires God plants in our hearts.  Let's unearth the dreams we've long lost, buried."

and "Sometimes you have to suffer the pain of the past to realize who you truly belong to."

While traveling this past week I was listening to my music and put together a spiritual whitespace playlist- take a look, take a listen, and rest…

Oh, and as a way to put this book in your hands- I am going to be giving away a copy of the book- if you are interested in winning this please comment below answering the following question:

How/where do you find rest?

This giveaway will go on until Wednesday, July 9 at 10:00 p.m.  At that time I'll draw a name and contact the winner and get it sent out  (I am personally sponsoring this giveaway because I believe that someone needs to read this book!)

Sunday Inspiration- Come as You Are

I was looking on iTunes this week and came across this song- I went to youtube to listen to the whole thing and immediately downloaded it.  I have never been a huge Crowder fan (just not my style) but his solo album is a completely different sound.



and the lyrics- a balm for a weary heart that sometimes strives too much to be "perfect".  I know there's no such thing as perfect but too often we put up that front or wear that mask that we want other people to see.  And then, when we are alone or the mask slips, we feel shame, embarrassment, and hopeless.  Take a listen, soak in the words that you hear and then read these words again:

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are

There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t cure


Those last two lines- Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't cure. That, is the balm for a weary soul- for the soul that seeks out that spiritual whitespace- for the soul that longs to connect with the heart of God

Found here

#spiritualwhitespace

The term whitespace is often used in art and used to describe the part of the canvas or artwork that is untouched or left "white".  Recently I was reading over at (in)courage and came across the opportunity to be a part of a blog launch team for the book Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray.  I filled out the application and a couple of weeks ago I got an email that I had been accepted to participate.  The tagline is "Awakening your soul to rest".  This book could not have come at a better time for me.  I was finishing up the school year and I was exhausted and desperately needing that rest.  I read the preface and found myself in tears a few times and I knew that God had led me to reading the (in)courage blog on that particular day so that I could participate and find that rest I so desperately sought.  I will share various thoughts throughout the reading that speak to me.

Every Thursday there is a link up (yes, I know today is Friday but now that school is out I am hopefully going to be able to blog a bit more).  Anyway, yesterday's link up- we were asked to choose one of three quotes and tell how it spoke to us.  I chose this one

I honestly don't know that I could adequately express how this speaks to me but the bottom line is that this is where I am.  I am longing for rest, for a space where I can truly be, to rest, to reconnect and dream.  And then, the place to live out those dreams.  

I am really looking forward to sharing more as I read (I have a few things that have already jumped out at me in the introduction alone!)