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!)

14 Ways to Beat Stress in 2014 (Part 1)

Today is part 1 (1-7) because otherwise it would be WAY too long for one post :)

1) Prep- do the prep work.  This could be anything from laying out your clothes the night before, planning out your schedule for the week, packing lunches the night before, or doing meal preparation on Sundays for the week ahead.  Preparation is the KEY!

2) Write it Down!  Make a list of things to do and don't worry about adding to it (aka making the list longer).  As you think of something write it down/make note of it immediately so that you won't forget to do it.  Then, as you do it- CROSS IT OFF!  Celebrate the fact that it's taken care of!  (and if it helps to write something down AFTER you do it then cross it off- then by all means- go for it LOL) :)  And writing it down goes for goals and dreams also.  Put it on paper- dream big!

(see I told you it was okay) LOL

3) Set Priorities- On that to-do list make stars or hearts or something beside the ones that MUST be done that day.  Organize them into Must-Do Today tasks and It's okay if ends up another day tasks and then be okay with that.

4) Say something nice.  Seriously- if you are stressed so are other people.  Sometimes, the best way to defuse a stressful situation or to calm yourself down is to look at the situation or person and say something nice/compliment them.  I guarantee it will make them feel better as well as making yourself feel better!

5) Take a bubble bath or a hot shower- just get away from the "real world" for a few minutes (or longer if needed).  Sometimes that's all it takes to gain a new perspective on things.  And even if not, you have had a chance to relax and unwind before approaching life again!

6) Dance- I am not a dancer and I don't pretend to be but I will say, there's just something about cutting loose in the privacy of your home (or car if you are brave) and just dancing around to a song that's playing.  My current song that makes me want to dance is "Happy".  You can't help but smile when you are dancing (especially if you can laugh at yourself!) 

7) Say hello to a stranger.  Runners are always really good at this- you might get a good morning or just a simple nod of acknowledgement but don't let it just be a runner.  There's the saying that your smile might be the only one someone sees that day.  There's numerous stories out there where a simple kind word from a stranger turns someone's day around.  You never know what your simple words to acknowledge the existence of someone can do!  Make a difference!

There's 1-7.  8-14 will be later this week, along with another post that I am cooking up (and maybe 2 more!)  You would think that I would have worked on these over spring break but nope- didn't happen :)  Oh, and these reminders are for myself as well ;)    Which one of these will you try today?  (in fact, there's 7- you can do at least one a day for the next week!)

*all of the graphics were located on pinterest and saved to the computer.  They were not altered in any way.