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Uncover Your Story. Come Celebrate. {A Book Launch Party: Finding Spiritual Whitespace}

By Bonnie Gray • May 22, 2014 • 36 Comments

All of us long for a place to breathe.

Space in our lives where we can just be me.

To rediscover what it means to feel close to God.

To remember what it feels like to be at ease. With ourselves.  With others.

To somehow find the things we lost along the way.

We try so hard to do what’s right and take care of those we love.

Meanwhile, deep inside, our soul hungers.  We wonder if there is more.

Is anything left for me?  

To be known. To feel loved. To feed our souls.  And dream dreams.

Deep inside, we all long for rest.

Uncover Your Story

Rest seems impractical. Selfish to consider what life would look like if we made rest our everyday home.

Yet, rest is what Jesus invites us to receive —  you and me — right in the midst of our stress frayed lives.

Uncover your story, Jesus whispers.

Underneath our hidden worries and tired doubts, Jesus understands our unspoken desires for rest.

“Come to me, all those who are weary laden
and I will give you rest”.  Matt11:28

It’s tiring to keep putting ourselves to the side.  That’s what I’ve done my whole life.

Not anymore.

A new chapter is beginning.

Without You

I was trying to write a book, but God was rewriting my life.

I am so grateful for you.  Without you, there would be no book.

You’ve given me the courage to be brave — and find my voice. One post at a time.

I wrote Finding Spiritual Whitespace, longing to share the memories I’ve uncovered — so we can take the journey of rest together.

Time to Celebrate, Sweet Kindreds!

BookArt2_BreatheBeauty_SpiritualWhitespace_BonnieGray_600x600It’s been a long two year journey to birth this book.  I’ve planned a wonderful, soulful night to commemorate this amazing milestone of God’s faithfulness.

What better way to celebrate the book launch than enjoying a night of whitespace together — a soulful night of music, art, photography and storytelling?

I invited a gifted songwriter-singer {Ryan Kingsmith}, an award-winning painter {Karen Wong}, and an award-winning photographer {Mel Lindstrom} to share their insights on whitespace used in their art and their stories.

And {Yours Truly} will be giving my first Author Reading {tears of gratitude falling} — along with my reflections on whitespace in the art of written narrative.

Do You Live in Northern California — or Know Friends Who Do?

Come celebrate. Let me buy you a cup of coffee.  For your friend too.

RSVP in your comment & I’ll be sure to look for you!

Pull up a chair. Click to comment. I love the sound of your voice.

Can’t Come But Want To Celebrate With Me?
Spiritual Whitespace Reservation Cards & Bookmark {PRINTABLES}

whitespace_reserve1Spirit-filled, Artist-Illustrator Annie Barnett created beautiful handart goodness so we can celebrate the book launch virtually!

I would LOVE your help to introduce Finding Spiritual Whitespace into as many hands and hearts who are longing for rest.

Use these Special Printables to take photos of what feeds your soul: beauty, refreshment, rest — and share your photos on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Use hashtag #spiritualwhitespace.

As people see photos of whitespace and rest in the blogosphere, you’ll help invite others on this journey and pick up the book.

Here are THREE Special {Spiritual Whitespace Printables}Reservation Cards & Bookmark For Soul Rest. 

whitespace_reserve2

{Click here to download, print out & cut out.} Scroll down for 3 pages of different sizes.

What feeds your soul?  Celebrate the June 3rd book launch by reserving time for rest.

Together, let’s launch this book into the world!  Thanks for your heart and your help, friends!

reservation2-pic

reservation1-pic bookmark-pic

Now It’s Your Turn — Link Up!

whitespace-badge

Publish your post ANY DAY of the week.  

Link up on Thursday.

Use the Whitespace Thursday Linkup Badge.

Write what prompts your heart. Share your voice.

Today’s Thursday 5/22/14 writing prompt:  choose one of the three pinnable quotes below from my new book Finding Spiritual Whitespace that speaks to you.  share your reflection.

Next Thursday 5/29/14 writing prompt:  share your whitespace moment. enjoy using the special Whitespace Printables.

– moments of beauty and rest
– feeding your soul
– your alone time with God

Or choose your own open writing prompt.  Be you.

Click  to learn more about Whitespace Thursdays.

BookArt1_WorthIt_SpiritualWhitespace_BonnieGray_600x600BookArt3_LongToBreathe_SpiritualWhitespace_BonnieGray_600x600BookArt2_BreatheBeauty_SpiritualWhitespace_BonnieGray_600x600

** Thank you for using #spiritualwhitespace to share your pictures on Instagram & Twitter! ** It’s fun to see the moments that feed your soul this week!

spiritualwhitespaceinstagram_051514

{Click here to link up your post.}


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

36 Comments

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When You're Too Stressed to Pray: God's TLC
When You Need Rest & Space For You {Finding Spiritual Whitespace}

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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.

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36 Comments

  • Reply Amy Hunt May 22, 2014 at 3:25 am

    “I was trying to write a book, but God was rewriting my life.” <– this. I so get this. (you know it.)

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      i know… 🙂 you’re heart is coming alive… words will not be lost… you’re living them, friend.

  • Reply Katie May 22, 2014 at 3:44 am

    “Rest seems impractical. Selfish to consider what life would look like if we made rest our everyday home.

    Yet, rest is what Jesus invites us to receive – you and me — right in the midst of our stress frayed lives.

    Uncover your story, Jesus whispers.

    Underneath our hidden worries and tired doubts, Jesus understands our unspoken desires for rest.”

    Thank you for your words spoken deep to my soul this morning.

    I wish I lived closer and could come. I wish so bad… I will be with you in spirit as I learn to rest myself. Again, having trouble writing, so I am just commenting. It is frustrating when words have always come easily to me.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      keep listening to your heart… and nurture and give your heart space. you can try writing just as you are… like on this comment… be present. (hugs)

  • Reply Lisa May 22, 2014 at 4:52 am

    Wonderful news, Bonnie. Praying for you as I continue to read the new book and learn to rest more in Christ. Everyday, we write the book in Christ. May we praise the LORD and rejoice in Him always. Double blessings to you, precious Bonnie, in Jesus’ Name, Author and Finisher of our Faith.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 3:34 pm

      i love how you say everyday we write the book in Christ. soul moving to know we’re meeting between the pages together, Lisa.

  • Reply Where do you go to church? May 22, 2014 at 5:17 am

    […] sharing at Thought-Provoking Thursday Whitespace […]

  • Reply Melissa May 22, 2014 at 7:34 am

    I wish I lived closer and could come to the party! But I’m in New Jersey, so it would be a pretty long drive. 🙂

    I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to read your new book! I just finished another, so I’ll start yours this afternoon.

    Praying that your launch party and author reading will go flawlessly!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 3:35 pm

      me too! 🙂 New Jersey, huh? wow. east coast. so neat how the blogosphere can bring kindreds together on the journey of faith. soul happy we’ll be taking the journey of rest together through the book.

  • Reply Lisa notes May 22, 2014 at 8:05 am

    I’ve enjoyed reading your book the past few days, Bonnie. I hear your invitation to rest. As I tweeted this morning from your book: “Rest is a journey of your soul now. Not yesterday.”

    So today I want to take on the attitude of rest, even in the midst of activity. Thank you, friend!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 3:36 pm

      yes, it’s a deep, soulful knowing inside. this attitude of rest. and it’s so much more beautiful and enriching knowing we are all traveling in that directly in our inner spirit — even if no the outside, we might appear to be in the midst of activity — in therealities of every day life. inside us, there is a quality developing that is beautiful because we’re leaning towards rest. soul, soul happy you’re here with me, Lisa. it’s just so surreal, friend.

  • Reply Danyalle May 22, 2014 at 9:38 am

    so excited for you, and so wish i could come have coffee with you.
    You remain in my prayers.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      i know. me too, Danyalle… !

  • Reply Krista May 22, 2014 at 10:50 am

    That guilty feeling when I do take time to rest, like I should be doing something “important”? (blushes)
    I am starting to see that when I take that quiet time to rest, I am more productive. I just need to tell that voice of guilt to be quiet! 😉
    It’s been a busy week but, I’m taking some time to rest tonight and I’m going to get lost in your book Bonnie! I have a date with my favorite mug and I”m trying to decide between tea or some decadent hot cocoa tonight. 🙂
    ((HUGS)) and prayers to you Bonnie! 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 3:39 pm

      oohh, i love the sound of decadent cocoa tonight, Krista! can’t wait to meet with you through the book! I’m needing some whitespace tonight myself. it’s very busy right now getting the virtual cafe here and the actual cafe ready for the book launch. but, i’m thankful i know where i’m headed tonight for my soul. and that gives me a refreshment of rest, knowing it’s there for me.

  • Reply tinuviel May 22, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    So excited for you! May the Lord pour courage into you for all the brave things He has in store in the next 2 weeks leading up to the launch. Your release party sounds lovely! May the Lord bring exactly the souls He’s prepared for this message and give you amazing joy in each other and Him.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray May 22, 2014 at 3:40 pm

      yes, i am curious who God will bring though the doors that night. thanks for such soulful wishes for the evening. they speak to what i would love, tinuviel. i hope you’re recovering well, friend.

      • Reply tinuviel May 22, 2014 at 4:06 pm

        the Lord surprised us with a less extensive surgery than planned. occasionally the MRI indicates more damage than the reality, and i was one of those occasions. i am out of the sling already and start PT tomorrow (more information in the post i linked up, if you want it). thanks for your prayers and remembering. PT after shoulder surgery is supposed to be quite painful, so the prayer need is not past yet. still, we are very grateful for the surprise in this case. grace and peace to you in Jesus, Bonnie.

  • Reply Bonnie Jean May 22, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    I am loving your book Bonnie. It is like reading my own life story in so many ways. There are also differences but the way you express yourself so openly is gently pushing me to allow Jesus to meet me in the whitespaces of my days and to begin the process of dealing with the truths I do not want to face but which will be a path of healing to me. I live on the East Coast so I cannot come to CA but I will be there in my prayers for you and all those who are able to attend.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:03 pm

      thnx for you sweet wishes, Bonnie! happy to know you would’ve been here.

  • Reply Sharon May 22, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    Bonnie, what I wrote about this week represents moments of beauty and rest for me. I wrote about the wonderful community of fellowship that I have found through blogging. I am refreshed by the blogs that I visit and read, and I find beauty in each individual heart. God does some amazing work on the Internet. May we continue to offer each other touches of His beauty, and moments of His peace.

    GOD BLESS!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:05 pm

      Sharon, I haven’t had a chance to read & savor your words yet… but wanted to drop you a note to let you know how beautiful it is that your words & voice are flowing out of a place of beauty and rest. keep writing and pouring your words!

  • Reply Debi Schuhow May 22, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Your book is lovely Bonnie. Everywhere I go, and in all the various media I interact with I encounter God’s recurrent theme;
    Rest
    Let go
    Surrender
    Take my yoke
    Be still
    Forgive
    Relinquish
    You are Loved
    You are Loved
    You are Mine
    You are Wanted
    You were Planned For
    You are Perfect
    You are Conplete
    You are My Little Princess
    You are Protected
    You are Valuable
    You are A Gift

    Oh Lord, I am so tired, so weary, so just don’t care anymore, so empty,
    I am in the perfect place for Him to pour Himself into me
    And I will rest in that.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:03 pm

      this is just beautiful, Debi! I didn’t know you were a poet… keep writing… !

  • Reply Christine May 22, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    Hi Bonnie! I got the notice from Barnes and Noble that your book shipped today! Wahoo! I definitely need to read it as I have been going through a lot of stress situations and NEED rest desperately. I am too far away to attend–Arizona, but you will be in my heart and prayers. Can’t wait for the book to arrive!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:06 pm

      Oh, Arizona is very, very special to my heart. psst… you’ll find Arizona in a story in the book.. hope you’re enjoying the journey, in your reading, Christine! you bless me!

  • Reply Jeri May 23, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Congrats Bonnie! How exciting for you to have your words, your story for everyone to read and be inspired.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:07 pm

      thanks, Jeri. thnks for being on this journey as we’ve swapped comments/stories on along the way to this release these past years. thnx for being a kindred on this journey. hope you’re well and words are flowing.

  • Reply Take Courage | Enthusiastically, Dawn May 23, 2014 at 9:51 am

    […] Linking with Bonnie and looking forward to joining her for the journey of finding Spiritual Whitespace. […]

  • Reply Wendy May 23, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    I just wanted to say thank you Bonnie for having so courageously shared your journey and for having been such an encouragement and awesome inspiration. I will be thinking of you on the 3rd and raising a cup of coffee to you all the way over here in England. With every best wish for the 3rd. Wendy

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:08 pm

      that is so, so sweet of you.. and it touched my heart imagining a sister across the pond raising a cup of joe with me, Wendy! I hoe you’re well and enjoying a restful weekend.

  • Reply Nancy Ruegg May 24, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Bonnie, because your journey has been so difficult, we are all the more elated for you! Your destination for today–a published book–is such a delightful, celebratory one. I have a feeling more exciting destinations are in your future! May blessings abound because of your honesty, perseverance and strength of character which brought you to this place.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:02 pm

      thanks for celebrating with me, Nancy! you’re so sweet!

  • Reply Lori May 24, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    Bonnie. Just want you to know how very much I am enjoying your book. God is teaching me through you the importance of slowing down-taking time to do what I enjoy and enjoy what I do instead of rushing through everything just to get on to the next thing. Make time for God-make time for me. Then God can show me who he made me to be. The desires of my heart and what I am good at and enjoy- this is what God made me to be. I need this slow down alone time to discover God and discover me.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray June 1, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      i could not have said this better, Lori. it’s beautiful, this heart coming alive as you take time for you. so glad you shared how the reading has touched you. i’m so touched you find your voice in the reading.

  • Reply Take a Risk and Just Obey [Holy Spirit series] | Finding Hope May 25, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    […] with Wednesday Prayer Girls, Coffee for your Heart, #TellHisStory, Faith Barista, […]

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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.” 

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“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.” 

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