Sometimes, when we least expect it, we feel our hearts stir.
We hear that voice in us.
That wants to live the life unlived.
Where do we start?
Are we too late?
What if we can’t?
But how?
And when? Now?
And before we know it, it seems that moment that inspired us has left.
And we’re left with the memory of what it felt like to be at rest.
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 #soulbeautiful.
A Soul Conversation
Step into this moment now to be with Jesus.
Right where you’re standing.
Feel Him rest His hand gently on your shoulder, prompting you to stay.
See the table. Space for you.
Feel Him rest His hand over yours. To let you know.
It’s okay.
Just rest.
Notice a cup near you, warmed by the heat of what’s been poured.
He wants to tell you something in private.
As you take the cup in your hands, listen to His words.
Imagine what His voice sounds like.
Jesus longs to show you He understands how you feel and all you’re thinking through — by bringing you back to a time He could have spoken with you face to face.
Enter into the soulful whitespace in Mark 4:16-34
Then Jesus said,
“This is what God’s kingdom is like.
It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground,
then sleeps and wakes,
night and day.The seed sprouts and grows,
but the farmer doesn’t know how.The earth produces crops all by itself,
first the stalk,
then the head,
then the full head of grain.Whenever the crop is ready,
the farmer goes out to cut the grain
because it’s harvesttime.”Jesus asked,
“How can we show what the kingdom of God is like?
To what can we compare it?It’s like a mustard seed planted in the ground.
The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds on earth.
However, when planted,
it comes up and becomes taller
than all the garden plants.It grows such large branches
so that birds can nest in its shade.”Jesus spoke [God’s] word to them using many illustrations like these.
In this way people could understand what he taught…But when he was alone with his disciples,
he explained everything to them.
Where are you in these pictures?
Are you scattering seeds — awake? Asleep?
Are you waiting — unsure how — seeds would grow?
Or is it time for you now to place your hand to the sickle…
to cut and reap?
Or are you holding seed now, looking at the small?
Will you open your hand to allow the seed to fall and plant?
Do you hear His quiet invitation to be alone together, so He can explain everything to you?
{ if you feel prompted, click to comment. }
My Words
Jesus. I’m not sure.
Standing here. In this curious place.
It seems it’s time for me to plant some new seeds.
But, I don’t see anyone around me growing what I have in my hand.
What if weeds are all that will come out from this ground?
I see another place in the field where the grain has grown full.
Is it time for me to take hand to sickle to harvest? What if it’s not enough?
Place your hand on my hand.
Then I’ll have all I need for my answers.
You.
If I can see you beside me, I’ll plant. I’ll cut.
I’ll live the life that’s been unlived.
One small seed at a time.
His Words
Don’t worry.
I’m not going any where without you.
I’ll always be here to care for you.
I am the shade you can rest in.
You can build your nest.
Your world is safe with me.
No matter what anyone else says or does.
Listen to me.
You are good soil.
You don’t need to know when or how.
You are good soil.
Do what I’ve placed on your heart.
You and I.
Plant. And let me be your shade.
“The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil;
he goes to bed at night and gets up by day,
and the seed sprouts and grows —
how, he himself does not know…But He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples
~ Mark 4:26
Your Words
Confide in Jesus, as friend to friend.
~ Jesus is listening. He longs for the words you share with Him alone.
~ Let His complete understanding of everything in your world touch your heart today.
Let’s quietly make space for each other, offering our words as incense in this Night Prayer. Our Compline.
You are among friends. In this quiet space.
Pull up a chair. Click to comment.
{ Remember… Soul rest is soul beautiful. }
~~~~~
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25 Comments
Jesus, I feel so victimised, shredded by hatred, a knife slicing skin – dissociated, PTSD I know – yet I can will Your Love into this space as well, now. Lord Jesus Christ, in Your Name, I refuse to be alone here anymore, hidden, tortured, exposed. I am willing You, Your Presence, Your Faithfulness, into this space where I am. I will never remain alone here, ever again. Amen.
Dear Jesus, you hear the cry of Wendy’s heart. And you’re still not going anywhere. You are strong enough, kind enough, full of understanding. Thank you for touching Wendy’s heart and being with her. Continue to hold her and connect her heart so she knows she’s not alone. Amen. {Thanks Wendy for being here and sharing your voice.}
Once again it seems as you have been living my life but only difference you describe it in such a way that explains it soul beautiful! Thank you for your faithfulness in putting yourself out there continuously sharing your vulnerable and trueness.
Always a timingly perfect message,
Many many blessings to you
Kelly
Thank you for being here, Kelly — so I can step out and not be alone. You give me courage so I know we aren’t traveling alone. I can’t do this without knowing God’s connecting me to others. Let’s keep encouraging each other. Hope this week has moments of peace tucked in. Just for you.
Thank you. I needed your words tonight. They speak to my heart, bring tears to my eyes, and make Jesus feel as though He is right here. Which, of course, He is. God bless you and…keep HIS words coming!
Thank you, Alicia! Praise God for the tears that run… His touch, His hand on your heart. *goosebumps* (hugs)
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I have relished your Sunday posts.
They seem like a time to sit and rest with Jesus and talk.
I have suddenly realized that since I was a small child it has been like I am down here with my prayers and requests and I am sending up my prayers to a large granite walled castle where God lives. I have had so much trouble with prayers in the last 15 years of very difficult times in my family and so many struggles throughout my life.
I am understanding God so much more now that I’m 55. And my faith has grown and my trust has grown, but my prayers have been VERY difficult. I have not known how to word my prayers. I have resorted to written prayers, but still felt my prayers are dead words at times. I have had an ah-ha moment tonight.
When I read your words I was able to see Jesus sitting there at a table with me over my cup of hot drink. We were sharing and He was talking to me in the picture in my head (that you painted with your words). He was reaching out and putting His hand on my shoulder and it hit me. I need to make this a conversation with the “man” who loved me enough to die on a cross for me. I need to make this a conversation with the Father in heaven who created me. I have known that this conversation is what I was desperate for.
But I guess I need to close my eyes and paint my own picture, then start the conversation. Thank you for painting these word pictures. Your way inviting us into the picture you paint with your words has made me realize I have been keeping God behind those walls. I am still afraid to ask Him anything, because I am fearful. But this can help me with that fear.
And your questions asking where we see ourselves in the picture, in the verses. They are a balm to my soul.
Lisa, I’m so glad the words from His heart are touching yours. And the ah-ha moment you had. Wow. That is a gift. A beautiful, precious gift beyond rubies. Hold onto it, relish it in your heart. And guard that moment. When it feels tough. Remember the voice you heard. Jesus you saw sitting at the table with you. Jesus is very near. Next to you. In you. He left his castle in the sky, so He can make your heart his home. Always. Forever. Your heart is his throne. He is with you. And so are we.
Bonnie,
This post is so encouraging. To me, it says, “Plant, sow, and reap,” where you are. Christ will stand right there, beside you. He will tell you what to do next. Don’t be anxious about anything, for you belong to Him. Thank you, for this beautiful post of encouragement and rest. Cynthia
Hi Cynthia, we’ve both been on quite a journey. Thanks for sharing the moments.
I read this while soul weary and sliced raw by the shattered lives around me. Reading the words that were inviting Jesus close and allowing myself to step into his invitation… comfort beyond words. Thank you.
Sweet Karin, I’m so sorry it’s so hard for you right now. So good we can find comfort between the words.
Profound. Your words give us permission to heal and nurture our weary souls. Thank you.
Thanks, Kelley. It’s so restful to be here with you.
“Do what I’ve placed on your heart.
You and I.
Plant. And let me be your shade.”
Heart-strengthening. So timely and encouraging. Thank you, Bonnie. The seeds you are scattering are taking root and growing in many hearts.
Thanks for being you, Trudy.
Thanx so much~your words never fail to touch my soul! ~and today’s go along with yesterday’s sermon~I long to work for Him, but due to extreme fatigue and depression struggle with feeling of inadequacy. I need to rest in Him, wait for Him~I want to plan ahead, know what’s going to happen, feel settled, but feel like my life is in limbo…Reaching out to others is my best therapy, I know. I long to use my gifts but feel trapped due to poor health.
I’m so sorry it is hard for you right now. May you experience God’s care for you more than any work you do.
Thank you. We share the same name, but we are in the same place too. Your words are and have been, exactly what I need to hear. EVERY time I read your post, it’s like you write just for me. My struggles are beyond intense. So much that to write about them would take up the entire page and then some. I am looking at seeds unsure. But weeping tears of sorrow to Jesus. Knowing he has me. Knowing that although I can’t see my harvest, he does. I look intentionally for your post as they are reminding me of -his -faithfulness and love. I store them in a folder because THATS how much they are significant to me at this time in my life. I reread to be reminded. Thank you for your gift of understanding, love, honesty.
Sweet Bonnie, I’m so sorry it’s so hard right now. And it makes me happy to know we can encourage each other on this journey. Thank you for taking the time to be here. Do you journal? Would you be interested to start a blog and give voice to your heart alongside this community? 😉
Bonnie, these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by you, spoke directly to my heart: “You are good soil…Do what I’ve placed on your heart…You and I…plant.”
Thank you for the encouragement to press on!
Lord, I continue my recovery journey. You know how lost and confused I’ve felt remembering the wounding of the world and the wounding in my childhood home. I brought the wounds with me and now I try to let go of them and walk more whole into life. Thank you for the friends that accompany me, for their voices sharing their truth. These are guides that help me find my own truth and allow the hurts bubble to the surface of my consciousness. As each one surfaces, some not as clearly identified as the others, You take them in your strong hands and they don’t hurt so much anymore. I feel the warmth of your touch, your breath against my skin and your transcendent light all around me. I am not alone. The many voices of the universe sing inside me filling me with peace.
Thank you Bonnie for leading me here. I thank God for your spiritual gifts of healing and sharing more light. Take care…God bless. 😀
Loved your His Words and your own words also Bonnie. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Lord Jesus I love you, I feel like a little girl with you… peeking from behind a door to see what’s next. I pray that I will seek your presence and choose to be with You always, as you hold my hand as we do all that you’ve called me to. Lord I pray that I’ll understand that life is a journey and that I need You to accomplish all that it entails, I can’t do anything in my own strength. Help me Lord to know You.
Lord Jesus, help Tewana to feel your hand on hers, drawing her to you. Help her look into your eyes and see your total understanding. Your kindness. Your acceptance. She doesn’t have anything to worry about when she is with you. Because you love her. You will help her. In Jesus’ name, Amen.