Bonnie Gray
  • Blog
  • Soul Care Quiz
  • Podcast
  • Books
    • See All Bonnie Gray Books and Resources
    • Breathe: 21 Ways to Stress Less
    • Sweet Like Jasmine
    • Whispers of Rest Book
    • Finding Spiritual Whitespace
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact

The Journal: Gifts Sent Incognito

By Bonnie Gray • December 8, 2009 • 14 Comments

I don’t remember what the weather was like that day, what I ate for breakfast or anything much else. The single image that protrudes from details washed away by time is a stack of pages bound in a rose patterned cover. It was the gift of a journal.

The present was a weighty one, as I opened it’s crisp pages. Early on, I had scribbled childhood tales of sick days from school and bubble gum crushes in Hello Kitty diaries. This was different. The paper was thick.  The binding tight. It looked like a book.  Even smelled like one.

To my preteen eyes, I was to be it’s author.

Smiling and a bit curious, I pulled the surprise  out of it’s wrapping.  What would I write? 

The answer was found as I turned to the inscription inside.

Dear Bonnie — I thought you would like this. A journal to write whatever you want. Happy Birthday.  Your friend, Merrianne.

Merrianne was a childhood Sunday School teacher, who later became a lifelong friend and mentor.  Right above her words, she pressed a sticker depicting winter in the woods.

It was the most beautiful gift I ever received in my young life.

This past weekend, as I celebrated another year of earthly voyage, I thought back to this first gift of writing, amazed at it’s significance.  And how it’s led me to you today.

Gifts Incognito

God gives us intangible gifts like those found in His Word:  the fruits of the Spirit, eternal life, and a wellspring of promises lying in wait.  There are also gifts He sends to us incognito, passed down to us through the hands of friends and perhaps even strangers.

I didn’t know it at the time, but pen to paper became my soul’s salve and my song.  How did Merrianne possibly know how deeply words and writing would become a part of me? God knew and He tucked a passion and calling into my pocket, while I wasn’t even watching.

journalwordsThroughout the years, I just kept writing.  Interrupted, breaks in the record even tell a story.  There are stretches of dessert, years missing, hidden and I thought lost.

To my disbelief, words would trickle in return, like winter barren creek beds filled again at spring.

I have tried to bury the dreams of writing when they seemed to fizzle away with the realities of circumstance and life.  Yet, I could never abandon my journals.  I wrote, not to dream, but to survive.

As I reflect on a year of life and ponder what is to come, God brought this journal back to mind.  He tells me, through the memory of this simple gift,

Bonnie, you do not need to be aware of what I am doing in your life.  I am still doing it.

In the everyday things we do, God places gifts that bless us.  Common place they appear, but the pleasure of enjoying them and the heart to do so are blessings that are rare.

Have you ever received a gift that seemed simple at the time — yet looking back, became a significant blessing that you still enjoy today?

journal_inhand“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

This Christmas, as we unwrap boxes that may fall short of our hopes and dreams, let us think on the gifts God’s given incognito.  Others may not think our small treasures so big.  God knows better. Our joy rests in this belief.

guidanceinspirationtrust

Share With Others

Share Your Voice

Pull up a Chair

This is a quiet space for you and me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Click to comment »

14 Comments

Get Faith Shots

Get each post served up hot and fresh in your mailbox.

[newsletter_signup_form id=0]

Remaking My Christmas Memories
The Blessing of a Bungling Advent

Connect with Me

Bonnie Gray

Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life. Posts brewed hot & fresh. Hang out. Swap some stories.

You Might Also Like

  • Never Been Kissed: When You Wonder If You’ll Ever Find “The One”

  • How to Choose Joy When Joy Seems Easy for Others But Hard for You

  • What A Vet Taught Me About My Personal Battles (10 Lessons From Vietnam)

  • If You’re Stressed About The Election: God’s 5 Powerful Promises To Encourage You

14 Comments

  • Reply Heather Sunseri December 8, 2009 at 4:18 am

    Good morning, Bonnie! I absolutely love to journal. I love to write down my dreams, my prayers, and my everyday observations. I love to record what God is doing in my life, my children’s lives and the lives of the people around me.

    What a special gift your friend gave you.

    “Bonnie, you do not need to be aware of what I am doing in your life. I am still doing it.” I love this reminder!

  • Reply Tweets that mention The Journal: God's Gifts Sent Incognito | Faith Barista -- Topsy.com December 8, 2009 at 4:18 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glynn Young, Maureen Doallas. Maureen Doallas said: The Journal, new post by @TheBonnieGray. http://bit.ly/5VuUnp […]

  • Reply jasonS December 8, 2009 at 10:01 am

    Amen, Bonnie.

  • Reply Amanda December 8, 2009 at 10:32 am

    Hi Bonnie, I’m popping over from (in)courage (I commented after you) and just wanted to say how much I love this post. It’s really got me thinking…because I *know* how true it is that God slips dreams and passions to us when we aren’t looking for them!

    The kicker for me is the end – “you do not need to be aware of what I am doing in your life. I am still doing it.” What an important reminder!

  • Reply Peter P December 8, 2009 at 10:51 am

    I’ve never been able to journal, I just don’t have the staying power to keep writing every day!

  • Reply uberVU - social comments December 8, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by gyoung9751: The Journal, new post by @TheBonnieGray. http://bit.ly/5VuUnp…

  • Reply Lindsey December 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    This was beautiful and thought-provoking. I hope I remember this as I unwrap gifts this Christmas. And as I give.

  • Reply Doug Spurling December 8, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    God knew and He tucked a passion and calling into my pocket, while I wasn’t even watching… He’s so good.

    I thank God for giving Merrianne the insight to plant a seed that would trickle down through the years “like winter barren creek beds filled again at spring.” and bless us each time you write.

    Thank you Bonnie and thank Merrianne too.

    Bless you and very Merry Christmas!

  • Reply Bonnie Gray December 9, 2009 at 6:23 am

    @Heather: Oooh, another journaling lover, recording her days! What a beautiful trail of words you leave.
    @jason: Amen, Jason!
    @Amanda: Thank you for staying to comment. God slipping drams and passions, so true. Wonderful you popped over, Amanda!
    @Peter: I wouldn’t have guessed it with your word filled blog!
    @Lindsey: Beautiful thought to remember as we give. Thank you for adding to the post. Great to have you here. I enjoyed your reflection on Chasing Francis. Merry Christmas, Lindsey!
    @Doug: Merry Christmas, Doug. I enjoyed your beautiful Christmas poem this week.

  • Reply Holley December 9, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Beautiful post, Bonnie. I’m so glad you let some of your words slip out of those journal pages and onto these to bless us!

  • Reply cathleen December 9, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    “Bonnie, you do not need to be aware of what I am doing in your life. I am still doing it.” Thank you. I needed to read this because I have been asking Him what direction He is taking me…am I going anywhere? I feel like I’m standing still and my world is shrinking. It’s reassuring to be reminded of this truth. Again, many thanks.

  • Reply Bonnie Gray December 10, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    @Holley: I am amazed at how God blessed this journey. God works under cover.
    @Cathleen: He is faithful. May God give you the encouragement as He leads you, in the everyday, so that each step leads you further in His plans and deeper in His grace. Blessings, Cathleen!

  • Reply How Do You Enjoy Time With God? Whitespace: A Photo Journal | Faith Barista March 31, 2011 at 1:09 am

    […] of an answer or not, I journal a prayer to God in that […]

  • Reply Why You Encourage Me — I’d Like To See You! | Faith Barista June 10, 2011 at 12:16 am

    […] I could call my own, where I felt free, wasn’t a corner or room.  It was me in front of my journal, Bic pen scrawling on pages.  I’m a mommy and grown up now.  But, that place inside me […]

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG

Sign up to refresh your soul with God’s love and rest. I’ll send you encouragement to nurture your heart and wellbeing. I’ll cheer you on!

SUBSCRIBE NOW»

Pull up a chair. Refresh your soul. Be inspired with soul care, stories & encouragement here. Breathe. This is a quiet space to swap some stories. Share your journey. Be the beloved. Be you. Serving up shots of faith for everyday life.
Bonnie Gray

“Bonnie has often led the way to freedom and truth by going there first herself. Her ability to invite us in as readers into our own stories only makes this world a better, more healed place.” 

– Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

“If you’ve ever been weary and needed room to breathe, then Bonnie Gray is the guide you’ve been looking for as you journey with Jesus to a new place of peace and freedom in your life.” 

Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Powerful Power of Introverts

Order Now »

LISTEN TO BONNIE’S BREATHE PODCAST

VOTED 2022 CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD FINALIST BY ECPA

“In a world crying out for kindess and belonging, this is a book needed for our times. Sweet Like Jasmine is a gift, a beautiful remembrance, that God treasures each of our broken hearts in His sweeping story of redemption.” 

– Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way

Order Now »

BONNIE IS A TRUSTED VOICE TO SO MANY – FEATURED ON

Archives

Compassion International Blogger

Compassion International Blogger

Sometimes it takes more faith for us to enter into a child's story than simply praying that it changes. Experience these stories unscripted.

Read the stories»

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Instagram RSS Pinterest
Bonnie Gray

Contact

© 2018 Bonnie Gray. All rights reserved. Website by Contemplate Design | Privacy Policy
Bonnie Gray
  • Blog
  • Soul Care Quiz
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact