Hi Friends!

Today I wanted to send out a devotional for you to read and reflect on : REMEMBER You Are Worthy Loving.

As your heart opens up to rest and refresh,
 the things that hold you back will naturally surface. It’s easier to forget about yourself, than to be vulnerable about your desire for rest, for peace, and to feel joy again.

But, today’s reflection will help you focus on Jesus’ whisper: You are not forgotten. You are remembered. Don’t forget about yourself. I remember you.

Many of our friends in the private Facebook shared that there there is often negative self-talk whenever they begin to think or explore choosing rest. This is very natural response, because we are so conditioned to do things for God, rather than being loved by God. That we have to earn our belovedness.

t’s a form of self-protection: to forget about our needs and desires, so that we won’t be disappointed.  We wonder if we are worth loving. 

Jesus understands this quiet brokenness in us: our need and desire to be loved. Jesus invites us to rest. Jesus heals us with His love.  Rest is a healing journey – of finding our way back to the Loving arms of our Savior, who is right here with us. It is time to go on the intimate journey of healing with God.

Jesus whispers,

I am making all things new.I will heal your brokenness into beauty.

This week’s reflection guides you to meet with Jesus in his most vulnerable moments before he was betrayed.  May you
 to meet with Jesus in his most vulnerable moments. To begin healing the feelings of fear, shame, and rejection in the loving presence of your Savior.

First, before our Lent Reflection, here are this week’s HOW TO’s:

#1: Click here to join the Private Facebook Group for our LENT Retreat right now. IMPORTANT: You’ll be asked two questions to join. Be sure to answer both questions. Access is only open to women subscribed to my blog newsletter.

When you get in: Introduce yourself by posting a comment on the top post pinned at the top. Don’t be shy! This FB Group is where sharing happens each week. Invite friends to join the group anytime by signing up for the newsletter here!

#2: ? Watch the *new* FB Live Monday “Week #2: (STAY) Whispers of Rest Lent Retreat” FB Live Video 3/18 9:00am PST 
Go to our FB Group to watch it here. Replay available. Please comment as you watch on replay. 

#3: ? Watch the Intro & Week #1 FB Live Videos
Watch the Lent Intro Video (here). It’s important you watch the intro first. Then, watch Lent Week #1 Video (here). Please comment as you watch on replay. I read them all!

#4: ?Get a copy of Whispers of Rest to read along.
This Lenten Retreat is most powerful if you read along with my 40-day book, using the hands-on soul care tips, Scripture, stories, scientific studies & prayers that helped me spark joy & experience God’s peace during a stressful time in my life. So get a copy of Whispers of Rest, if you don’t have one yet. (read reviews readers posted here!) 

#4: ?Let me encourage you daily! Get the Whispers of Rest Soul Care Resources Package! **NEW!**
Do you enjoy my weekly encouragement and devotionals on soul care? I’d love to encourage you daily! For extra resources to refresh your soul and take better care of yourself, I created this powerful DAILY companion resource to Whispers of Rest. I’m SO excited to announce it ! a beautiful NEW 40day Soul Care Guide eBook called “You’re Worth Loving”, 6 teaching videos, 6 prayer podcasts, Scripture coloring pages – and access to a Self-Paced Online Book Club! Click here to get the Whispers of Rest Soul Care Resources Package!

✨ Are you Following me on Instagram and Facebook Yet? 
I love sharing encouraging quotes & photos to cheer and remind you how important it is practice soul care and hear God’s loving whispers to combat the negative and toxic effects of social media. I want to help you combat by sharing what encourages me with you! So:
Click here to follow me on Instagram @thebonniegray right now.
Click here ollow me on Facebook @thebonniegray right now! 🙂


Now, take a deep breath. Relax as we step into our Lent Reflection…

Our One Word Lent Focus: Remember

Broken-Hearted Healing. Let me love you. My love will heal you.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit…
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.”
psalm 34:18, 147:3

The journey of the heart is always unpredictable — because Jesus invites us to be vulnerable when he calls us to walk by faith:

To walk by faith as a child.

Feeling inadequate, risking rejection.

To be real. And journey with Jesus. 

Maybe you’re hearing God’s whispers in a new way this season of Lent too —

Don’t hide anymore. Let the little girl in you walk by faith to rest. With me. Today.

Jesus is calling us deeper.  By letting others to know the little girl in you. To know her dreams and her heartbreak. And share what you thought was once lost or forgotten.

Jesus hasn’t forgotten. He doesn’t forget.

A Promise

Maybe that is why Jesus had to share one last meal with his friends before he had to die.

Maybe when Jesus looked into the eyes of everyone he had been living, traveling, and eating with — he saw the little boys and girls hidden within each of them.

He knew they would feel scared, lonely and abandoned — when they would wake up one morning and find Him gone. To see his bed lay bare, too neatly folded and empty.

Jesus knew they needed to hold onto a promise.  A promise He would keep to them forever.

You Are Remembered: Close Your Eyes

Jesus made a new promise to be our forever home—by giving up his body and life. Jesus whispered:

Whenever you eat this bread . . . of brokenness . . . Whenever you drink this cup . . . of life pouring out . . . Remember me. Because I’m remembering you.

Close your eyes and gently focus on this image –

Imagine Jesus now—sitting next to you at your table. See him reaching for your hand, to hold yours. To soothe your hand and to let you know through his loving touch that He remembers you. 

Imagine Jesus sharing with you – as He breaks the bread into broken pieces – to show you how much He loves you. He was thinking of all that you are worried about today, when He hung on the cross. Jesus didn’t want you to face all your worries alone. He wanted to be with you, feeling and facing it all with you, through the Hoy Spirit who lives in you today. So that you would know that you’re worth loving. That you are remembered.

Now, see the dream he carried in his heart onto the cross—to love, hold, and heal you, to return to being His beloved little girl —coming true in you today.

Do you know what Lent means? Lent means “The Way of the Cross”.  In short, it means “The Way”.  In other words, Lent is “The Journey”.

Listen. God’s Words For You. Remember.

After Jesus put their sandals back after washing their feet – Jesus returned to  rest at a table together — to share a meal. And make an oath.

He made a new promise they had never, ever heard anyone make to them. They would be reunited one day.

Remember me. I promise.

I’m not going to leave you orphans.

I will make my forever home in you. I will dwell in you. 

I will journey with you every day. All the way.

It was a blood promise.  

And He would give up his own body to be battered and bruised — to be thrown to the side and lashed open — in order to keep his promise.

In other words, Jesus promised them, I will remember you. You might not see me, but I will be with you. 

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, His very self, suffer alongside them. Why? So that the He could comfort them. Jesus sent them the Comforter and the Advocate.

Jesus remembered them. And Jesus remembers you today. Jesus longs to comfort you today. Will you receive his comfort by choosing to rest and take time to take care of yourself – to take care of the little girl in you? 

What does the little girl in you who Jesus loves need today?  Do you hear His whispers for you?

Today, you and I are going to go where Jesus is inviting us to journey.

Jesus is whispering to you and me — Remember.

It might seem safe to forget what once made us happy. Or what once made us sad. Jesus understands this. That’s why He whispers his story to you and me. Today.

Listen as he whispers to you now, just like he did one night in the upper room, lifting a cup and broken pieces of bread:

Remember me.  Remember how far I’d go, just to be with you.

Let go of whatever you’re holding onto.

Let me hold onto you instead. I’ll love you to the very end. Today.Beloved,
Remember how far I’d go, just to be with you.
I promise. I’m never going to leave you orphaned.

You are my forever home.
I’ll journey with you. Every day. All the way.

Let go of whatever you’re holding on to. Let me hold on to you instead.

Let me love you. My love will heal you. Today.

A Prayer for Today: When You Remember You are Worth Loving

Lord Jesus,
You feel my heartache.
You know my story and my pain.

Give me courage to take steps to heal today. Guide me on this journey of healing.
I’m willing because you love me.
You’ll never leave me.

Walk with me.
Just like you promised.
I’m holding on to you. I need you.
Thank you for suffering, so you can love me forever. Today.
Amen.

You don’t have to be unbroken to be loved. You are special to Jesus.

Give Yourself Permission: Open up. Take steps to heal. By choosing to rest, to take care of yourself, to be honest about your desires for peace, for joy and to be loved again. Investigate your stress, anxiety, or wounded spirit. Be curious about other people’s stories. Ask questions. Be curious about your own story. Find a trusted confidant or therapist to help you explore the mysteries of your story and your healing.

As we step into a new week, picture Jesus staring ahead at a trail he had to walk alone one cold day, stop and listen. What is Jesus whispering you to remember?

?SOUL CARE CHALLENGE: A LETTER TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF

Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian imprisoned for helping Jews escape the Nazis, never erased her memories. She quoted her father in The Hiding Place: “‘Do you know what hurts so very much? It’s love. Love is the strongest force in the world, and when it is blocked that means pain…We can kill the love so that it stops hurting. But then of course part of us dies, too. Or . . . we can ask God to open up another route for that love to travel.’” Let’s open a new route by healing our memories with God in prayer.

Here is your Lent Soul Care challenge from Week #1: write a letter to your younger self. What would you say to your younger self based on what you know now? At what point in life would you speak to her? Let the little girl in you be present with Jesus now.

Dear ______________, Age: ____

❤️ Share your Ah-ha moments:
Pull up a chair. Share whatever God has touched your heart in this reflection. Click here to share a comment on the blog.

If you’re in the Private FB Group: Stop by the group to share what spoke to you in today’s devotional. How did it feel doing today’s prayer practice & soul care challenge?

How does it feel to Write a Letter to Your Younger Self?

You do not have to share it in our group, but if you feel inspired. At the spiritual rest retreats I lead, women who have shared their letters experienced DEEP healing, as you allow us to quietly listen. We welcome and respect this experience between you and God.

You may also just want to share it one person in your real life: a best friend, a boyfriend, your husband or also your children, if they are older. Without saying a word or adding anything to the letter, allowing them to read your letter will be healing to your relationships.

? Snap Photos & Share on Instagram or your personal FB using hashtag #whispersofrest and tag me @thebonniegray. You can encourage friends with rest!

Dear Jesus,

I pray that your tender whispers of remembrance
will draw my friend  to you.
Enliven her imagination as she takes time to
step into your most intimate moments
of suffering this week, so she can 
feel the intimacy of your most vulnerable moments with her. 

Begin the powerful work of healing in the most
beautiful, tender ways – by whispering to her. You remember.

As my friend sees that every moment
in her life has always been with you.
Even though at the time, she felt alone –

Your heart broke with her, as it was happening
in the past – and today, your heart breaks with hers
as she remembers those moments.

Remind her that you never erased those
painful parts of your story, so that my friend
will find strength and peace knowing there is NOTHING


Bind her wounds with your love and understanding.
Bring all parts of herself to you.
So she is no longer separated from all parts of her story.
You love all of her.


In your name, Amen.