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{Soul Rest Sunday} Gather. I Am With You.

By Bonnie Gray • February 23, 2014 • 32 Comments

Sometimes, it seems like all that’s within my reach are leftovers.

As I begin to make my outer world reflect my inner world — where I am completely loved, cherished and accepted — I’ve stepped into the realities of what this means.

It’s a risk, because we need to leave the world we once inhabited — relationships, expectations and staying within the boxes other may have constructed for us.

There is fear.  To leave my old identity of safety. To start over.

But, there comes a time it’s more important to create space to live as the beloved than as someone whose heart is unknown.

There are going to be changes I’ll need to make.

Where will this journey take me?

Is there really a place for me in this world — alive and real? I’m not so sure.

Gather.

This was one word a woman all alone once whispered to herself.

She didn’t fit in — and she didn’t have any real means — or outward significance.

She looked at all her options — and she decided she needed to go.  And gather.

Some might have looked at her life — and shook their heads in empathy but sighed at the storyline already written out in her circumstances.

But, the woman God saw and knew was very different.

And so, God left us a intimate story about leftovers.

About leaving.  About gathering.

Behind others.

So that we would come to understand we aren’t so lost in His world.

Come.

And draw near.

To Jesus.

As you are.

See.

In this very moment.

What He longs to show you.

What you’ve longed to show Him.

Listen.

To the Inner Voice of Love.

That whispers to you now.

Let it echo in you.

Confide.

In Him as friend to friend.

What you’ve longed to whisper and ask.

Let your voice echo to Him.

#Soulrest.  It’s soul beautiful.

A Soul Conversation

Step into this moment now to be with Jesus.

He is going to tell us a story that is true.

See the dirt in between her toes, her cuticles dry from gathering in the dust in sandals.

Feel the weight of her clothes that she had to wash and wear worn — many times in the same week.

Hear her sit alone in the moonlight one night as she decided she would hope for the kindness of others.

And she would step out into the world.  To gather.  To be seen.  To risk.

Enter into the soulful whitespace in Ruth 2:2-17:

Ruth, who was from Moab,
said to Naomi,
“Please let me go to the field
of anyone who will be kind to me.

There I will gather the grain left behind
by the reapers.”

Naomi told her, “Go, my daughter.”
So Ruth went.

She entered a field
and gathered the grain left behind
by the reapers.

Now it happened that she ended up
in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz,
who was from Elimelech’s family.

Just then, Boaz was coming from Bethlehem…
Boaz asked the young man in charge of his reapers,
“Who is this young woman?”

The young man answered…
She said, ‘Please let me gather grain.

I will only gather among the bundles
behind the reapers.’

So she came here and has been on her feet
from daybreak until now.
She just sat down this minute in the shelter.”

Boaz said to Ruth,
“People have told me…
how you left your father and mother
and the country
where you were born.

They also told me how you came
to people that you didn’t know before.

…May you receive a rich reward
from the LORD God of Israel,

under whose protection
you have come for shelter.”

Ruth replied,
“Sir, may your kindness to me continue…

…So Ruth gathered grain in the field
until evening.

Then she separated the grain from its husks.
She had about half a bushel of barley.

Did you see Ruth gleaning among a field she “happened to end up in”?

This phrase was translated from the original Hebrew, which reads “and her chance, chanced”.  In Hebrew text, repetition is used to create irony, to indicate the opposite.

There was no chance that Ruth could possibly end up in a field, just as Boaz was there.  Just as she was resting.

God orchestrated this opportunity.

God saw Ruth.  He knew the dreams within her heart.

And He loved her.

Even as she gathered the leftovers.

Behind all the other reapers.

Behind all the other people who belonged in the field.

Where are you in this story?

Are you gathering like Ruth — wondering what might be left for you?

Do you see Boaz — prompted to move towards Ruth — not knowing his act of kindness would lead him to a unexpected love?

Is God prompting you to gather?  To leave?  Or move out to experience or express kindness?

{ if you feel prompted, click to comment. }

My Prayer

Jesus.  Chance upon chance, I’m trusting you.

With each reach I’m taking to gather — what seems so small.

Here.  In this new space I’m entering into — away from people, places and familiarity I once felt resigned to.

To move closer to new people I haven’t met. A new way of life.

Gather with me, Jesus.  Be my shelter.  Be my shade.

His Words

I see you. From sun up to sun down you are gathering.

Don’t be afraid.

I love you.

I see you.

I have a plan.

Chance upon chance.

I am in control of your destiny.

Let me be your shelter in the blistering sun.

Let me be our shade.

Your Words

What are the feelings and thoughts that surface in this quiet space?

Confide in Jesus. As friend to friend.

~~~~~

Pull up a chair. Click to comment.

You are among friends. In this quiet space.

~~~~~

Slow Down. Journal on Soul Rest Sunday.

Do you enjoy savoring quiet time with God too — and enjoy journaling your reflections on a Scripture verse, song, or prayer?

 

Share it with us.  Link-up Sunday or Monday. Click on the blue button “Add Your Link” and submit the url of your post (not just the name of your blog).

This isn’t just another blog post.  Let’s experience something real and sacred together.

Come. See. Listen. Confide.

Be a part of {Soul Rest} community.
Slow and savor time with God.
Refresh your soul for the new week.

‘);

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32 Comments

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

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32 Comments

  • Reply Frances February 23, 2014 at 5:54 am

    Bonnie, There is no way that you just happened to end up on this Scripture and the message you found there.. It is a God appointment to you to truly show that you are His beloved! He is with you on your journey. Blessings, dear one.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:50 pm

      Hope you’ve enjoyed a soul restful day today, Frances. Thanks for being here.

  • Reply Trudy February 23, 2014 at 7:01 am

    “But, the woman God saw and knew was very different.” Your post today causes me to reflect on how Ruth must have feared rejection as she felt she was an outsider and “not good enough.” Maybe people even whispered behind their hands. Yet she went anyway, because she trusted the God who loved and accepted her. Beautiful, Bonnie. Thank you. This story touched my heart. Have a soul rest day!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      Wonderful reflection, Trudy. So good when His words touch our hearts. Hope you had a soul rest day as well, friend.

  • Reply Mandy February 23, 2014 at 7:19 am

    “and her chance, chanced.” What a wonderful reminder that we are where we are because of God, not because of chance.

    Thank you for your words, Bonnie, but mostly for your heart. So often I find that you and I seem to be on the same path somehow, despite the different circumstances which led us here.

    I’m glad we can gather the leftovers together 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:52 pm

      Yes, we are gathering alongside each other — what a beautiful, heart warming image, Mandy. So beautiful because it’s true! Thank you…

  • Reply Chelle Wilson February 23, 2014 at 8:28 am

    I am becoming acutely aware of the need to find and embrace community, to Gather. This was a powerful message for my soul. Thank you for your obedience, your wisdom, and your words.
    In Peace,

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:53 pm

      What a poignant journey you must be on… to hear gather… and community… intertwined in one breathe… that is beautiful… Thanks for sharing, Chelle…

  • Reply Mary February 23, 2014 at 8:28 am

    I so look forward to these Sunday posts. They touch my heart, for I know they come from your heart.
    What struck me is Ruth had to take action. She had to humbly step out in faith, and then the miracles took place.
    It is so easy to let fear keep me from taking that step of faith, from stepping out and writing, blogging. Even when God keeps prompting me over and over, I hold back, unsure of how or where to start, unsure of what I am to say. Please pray I will find the courage to take that first step and allow God to use my voice for His glory.
    The second thing I thought about was how God has provided a Boaz for me. I was a widow, I was trying to make it on my own, and with God’s help I was surviving, but God sent an awesome, kind, loving, provider into my life. He has brought me great joy and his love is amazing. I am truly blessed. Though we differ on some things, He is truly a gift from God, for I was not looking for another man.
    Those are my thoughts. The final one being, God is ALWAYS at work in our lives. His love and provision, His plan is perfect and we are His beloved. Praise be to God.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:54 pm

      Mary, it’s soul refreshing to hear how God touched your heart through today’s time in Soul Rest Sunday. Thanks for being here on the journey, sharing the day.

  • Reply Angela February 23, 2014 at 8:28 am

    This has been a wonderful. I needed this clear words to understand better why I´m here and why sometimes things are difficult for me. I have rediscovered how important is to get together and share our feelings. It´s true that i always pray and I believe in God but something was missing. I now realize that I need to attend church in order to remind me of the glory of having our saviour close to us. From now on I will read soul Rest Sunday mails and share them. God bless your work. Have a splendid week. Angela

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:56 pm

      Sweet Angela, you have such kind words… what touched my heart is that you felt a drawing to gather in community and it makes my heart happy to hear this… May God continue to hold and guide your heart and find refreshment and company for the journey of faith..

  • Reply Dee February 23, 2014 at 9:08 am

    It’s uncanny how your words catch me just where I am. He speaks across the miles from your pen to my heart of His love. The very first paragraph grabbed me because that is exactly where I am (“As I begin to make my outer world reflect my inner world — where I am completely loved, cherished and accepted — I’ve stepped into the realities of what this means.
    It’s a risk, because we need to leave the world we once inhabited — relationships, expectations and staying within the boxes other may have constructed for us.”).
    Yes…it is a risk to come out of the shadows and be who you really are. Some people have labeled me incorrectly, but God knows me and reminds me who I really am. I am not as others have decided. I don’t belong to them and they did not really want to know me–only judge me because I was not like them and could not fit into their small, tight boxes. God knows that and has taken me under His wing and holds me close to His heart and speaks truth about me as I heal. My prayer right at this moment is “Thank you, Father! You have seen me in the desert of misunderstanding and opened the door wide for me to walk the beautiful new path towards healing and truth.”
    Thanks, again Bonnie for speaking your beautiful truth. You open the door of faith and growth with your words of light!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 12:34 pm

      Enjoy a soul rest Sunday, Dee!

  • Reply Wendy February 23, 2014 at 10:46 am

    I “see the dirt in between her toes, her cuticles dry from gathering in the dust in sandals…” etc., and her simple faithfulness, day in day out, in doing the little she can, that is before her. Interestingly in this story I identify myself with Ruth and find myself blessed by that – even though after all these years of gleaning (struggling simply to survive, practically and emotionally) I’ve still yet to chance into Boaz’ field of kindness 🙂 A lovely piece today. Thank you Bonnie.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 11:58 am

      That’s beautiful, Wendy…

  • Reply Debbie February 23, 2014 at 11:51 am

    My husband and I are taking classes to be certified to adopt. God has worked in such amazing ways to bring us to this place. We have 3 grown sons and 5 (soon to be 6) grandchildren. I never imagined this is what this season of my life would look like but we are walking in joyful obedience and are eager to see what God has in mind.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 11:59 am

      Children’s memories stay with us for a lifetime… What an amazing gift you’re giving… The gift of presence in a lifetime of memories. May Hod be with you and your husband every step of the way.

      • Reply Debbie February 23, 2014 at 5:25 pm

        Thank you for the encouraging words!

  • Reply Lisa February 23, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Thanks, Bonnie. And above all, praise the LORD for His Provision, His Shade, His Shelter. I’ve always been drawn to the word, “gather”. I saw it in a whole new light with this post today, Soul Rest Sunday. Praise the LORD of the Saboath! I’ve been gathering for quite some time now and wondering what to do with all I’ve gathered. The fog seems to be clearing. I sure hope I’ve been gathering in His Name and that He is orchestrating something good and brilliant to make use of all I’ve gathered in Jesus’ Name, our Strength and our Song, our Delight.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Sweet Lisa, I hear your faith in your words of hope. He sees all we’ve been gathering friend. It’s what He does. He loves us and He won’t forget us. Thanks for sharing Soul Rest Sunday together and encouraging us with your journey.

  • Reply Valerie Sisco February 23, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Bonnie,
    Beautiful! Love the story of Ruth and the courage it represents. This is just what I needed today. Thank you for your beautiful words!
    Valerie

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Sweet Valerie, I hope you enjoyed a soul rest sunday… thanks for taking the time to share a moment together today.

  • Reply Shauna Viele February 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    One of my all-time favorite stories. The minute I read “gather,” I knew which story you drew from. And her story is just as relevant today as it was then.
    God is continually reminding me to rest. Yesterday I participated in a “silent retreat” with other ladies from my church. The theme, “Be Still”; Psalm 51 started us on our time with the Lord. Then, today’s sermon at church was “Rest Required”. And now this, your blessing and sharing. Have a peaceful week, dear sister.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray February 23, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Sweet Shauna, this is a beautiful, deep passage. And it speaks new in every season, as it changes, doesn’t it. I hope you had a soul rest sunday. Thanks for sharing a moment here together… as we gather alongside each other…

  • Reply tinuviel February 24, 2014 at 8:20 am

    It really must have taken courage for Ruth to step out and begin to gather. Thank you for pointing that out. I love the account of Ruth, the abundant grace in those events, and the way God answers the prayers through His faithful people. Thank you for inviting us to enter the story today. I’m so thankful God is opening your heart to His voice of love! Grace and peace to you this Monday morning.

  • Reply Allison February 24, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    again, thank you for speaking God’s heart! This is exactly where I am… stepping back out into the world from my safe harbor with God. He loves me – I have to trust Him. I know He wants me to move forward back into service for Him… time to get my toes dirty again; He is calling… I must answer.. and I know He will provide all my needs: courage, faith, wisdom… if only I will step out of the boat and keep my eyes on Him! thank you again!

  • Reply Lisa Mac February 25, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    I feel that God is sending me out to gather friends. I have been through so many years of alone and isolation. 10 years with an abusive ex-husband. Years when my wonderful new husband worked opposite shifts that I did so we could save money while the kids were growing up. Then teenage years brought crisis situations for many years in a row. Now I am concentrating on making our marriage closer like it was before. And I have many friends that I work with, but haven’t been able to do things with. It seemed that whenever I would plan things with friends I would have to back out because one of the children would have a crisis, or create a crisis.
    So I just gave up for years. Most of the last 35 years.
    And since it has never been easy for me to make friends, I don’t remember how to have a friendly conversation any more. I am afraid I will tell too much and freak somebody out, or be silent with nothing to say!

  • Reply Midweek Question: What is your Focus? | Because Of Grace February 26, 2014 at 12:28 am

    […] for me is steep. But over the weekend I spent my first night back at home since January 20. I am in Gather mode. I’m gathering my team. My team includes the doctors, nurses, aides, companions, PT/OT/ST […]

  • Reply brenda March 2, 2014 at 5:59 am

    Dear Bonnie,
    Thank you for encouraging us to listen to our Lord, and reminding us how much He loves us and desires to be alone with His children. Beautifully written.
    Grace and Peace to you,
    Brenda

    • Reply Bonnie Gray March 2, 2014 at 7:55 am

      grace and peace to you, Brenda. enjoy your sunday, friend.

  • Reply mary mccauley March 2, 2014 at 7:34 am

    Thank you again Bonnie, this is my worship today. When I stop and look back all I can do is say thank you to God for all he has brought me through. I thank Him for loving me at my most unlovable, for grace and forgiveness, and for the promise to never leave me. I ask for courage to write what is in my heart this Lenten season and share it with others. I want His light to shine through me, so the world will see Him and be drawn to Him.
    Your words touched my heart. Thank you for sharing. You are a light for Him.

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