Originally published Monday, 02 February 2015.
a beautiful thing is happening... your heart is awakening...
I found a letter. It was left in the quiet places of my heart, whispered in the most tender Voice. A love note from God. As I listened to His words, I realized they weren't just for me. They are meant for you too. Today, as we step into February, I want to share two gifts from my heart -- along with God's love note -- left on the doorstep of your Sunday morning. Just for you. These gifts are beautifully hand-crafted and created by a friend in our Faith Barista community: artist and photographer Kelly Ishmael of mindingmynest.
These two gifts were created to inspire you -- to prioritize nurturing the one thing God longs to love this month of February: you.
Dear You,
I want you to know. You'll never be unloved. You'll never face a lonely night alone again. Because I will be there. I always have. And it breaks my heart in a thousand pieces for all the times I couldn't take you away from all that has broken your heart, made you cry and caused you pain.
I've collected all your tears in a bottle and I hold all your sorrows, so that you can be loved anew again. I wish you could look into my eyes and see how much I love you, from the very beginning, as I gently and beautifully made you -- deep within. How I traced every part of myself onto your heart and hid it as treasure inside your soul. So that no matter what the journey through this life would take you through -- your heart would always be next to mine. My love makes you beloved. My beloved. Will you make some space in your moments. In your days -- to let me in? Will you let me love you?
I want you to come close -- closer than you've ever been before. Don't be afraid. I long to be with you. As is. Your heart is my home. I love you. Simply. Truly. Meet me in the quiet. Be the beloved. Just rest.
Forever Yours... Jesus
The First Gift Be the Beloved February Desktop Calendar
click here to download the full size Beloved Calendar
During my recovery from anxiety, images and photographs spoke very deeply to me. I found myself drawn to art and photography that speaks softly and beautifully to my soul. I met Kelly Ishmael while browsing the photos of rest you're sharing on Instagram using hashtag #spiritualwhitespace. I found her art lettering and photography soul beautiful, inspiring moments of beauty and rest. Enjoy this beautiful Beloved Calendar created by Kelly. Use it as a visual prompt to enjoy cups of #spiritualwhitespace this month. Don't just be productive. Be loved. Make space in your heart and your schedule to nurture your heart with God this month. Don't give your heart leftovers. Prioritize time to feed your soul each day -- tuck them into your week. If you have an especially demanding day, enjoy a double shot of #spiritualwhitespace later in the week to refill your soul. Make room in your heart and your schedule to savor cups of rest.
The Second Gift 28 Days to Be Loved :: 28 Cups of Rest
What refreshes your heart and what feels restful? This isn't so easy to answer on our own. We all need inspiration and encouragement! So, I asked the women in the Whitespace Group I'm leading at my home church to brainstorm what they enjoyed doing when they were little girls. Their answers inspired today's 28 Days to Be Loved Printable. Here are 28 Shots of Spiritual Whitespace. Savor cups of rest. How many can you cross off this list? Use it to spark your own ideas! Take this as a fun challenge for your soul. Your soul is waiting to be loved.
click to download 28 Cups of Rest (color printable)
click to download 28 Cups of Rest (black & white printable)
Enjoy one cup of rest a day. Just imagine yourself stepping up to the cafe barista bar. Sample different brews or keep enjoying your fave. Have fun! Who knows, you might end up liking it something you try! Invigorate your soul with shots of spiritual whitespace! Caffeine-free cups of rest.
With each cup of rest you create space to enjoy, your heart is awakening, with the One who calls you His.
"the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders" deut33:12
~~~~~
Pull up a chair.
* Who can you share this encouragement with today? *
Thank you again to Kelly for creating today's printables! Listen to her #spiritualwhitespace story...
Dear Bonnie, Your book was such a source of inspiration for me...I connected with it on so many levels. My art has been such a long journey...four years ago, my daughter, my only child, was getting ready to graduate from high school. In the months leading up to and right after we dropped her off at university, I struggled so much with the basic questions in life like who am I? What is my purpose? My empty nest hit hard. I so totally know those empty, barren, desolate places. And I also know that’s where Jesus met me and healed those broken parts of me. That’s why it is such an honor for me to be able to share my art with you. Because really, to me, my art has been a true gift from God. And it is so very gratifying to be able to give it back to him in this way.
~~~~~
By Bonnie Gray. Bonnie is the soulful author of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul To Rest, which has garnered starred review praise from Publisher’s Weekly, named as the Top 6 notable new religion authors. Bonnie blogs at Faith Barista, serving up shots of faith in the daily grind. She writes for DaySpring (in)courage and her work has been spotlighted by Christianity Today, Relevant, Catalyst Leadership and she's After graduating from UCLA, Bonnie served as a missionary, ministry entrepreneur, and Silicon Valley high-tech professional. She lives in Northern California with her husband, Eric, and their two sons.
For inspiration to create space in your life to breathe, order a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul To Rest, which has garnered starred review praise from Publisher’s Weekly. This memoir-driven guidebook for rest will nurture your heart to draw closer to God.
"Whitespace is soul grace. Bonnie Gray ushers weary women into the real possibility." - Ann Voskamp, NY Times bestsellng author of One Thousand Gifts
"If you want to hear Jesus speak more tenderly to your soul than ever befrore, this is the book for you." - Lysa TerKeurst, NY Times bestselling author of Unglued
"We live in a culture that brags and boasts about being busy. Into that reality steps Bonnie with a new idea.
Whitespace is an important concept and Bonnie has captured it perfectly. -Jon Acuff,NY Times bestselling author of Start!
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