People say I look young.
I tell them it’s my Asian genes.
We always look like we just got out of college.
But inside, I have felt old.
That’s what the happens when doing and striving — what lack of connection and intimacy does to your soul.
It creates tracks that become valleys where loneliness settles.
It’s Always Been You
Even though your story seems safely tucked away — even though you feel stronger because you don’t have to feel hunger or need — you feel yourself restless. Inside.
You feel you were meant for more than just getting by, but well, what can you do?
This is the moment that your younger self is no longer present. She is submerged. Eventhough you keep her worries quiet, you also press down her dreams, so that there is no oxygen for a flame.
So, you think that gray that covers your heart is good. But, it’s really numb.
Yet, Jesus whispers — ” a flickering wick I will not extinguish.” matt.12:20
it’s always been you.
you are the one I thought of in the dark when I hung on the cross.
i did it so you could hear me — and believe me — when I whisper to you —
you are loved.
you are cherished.
just rest.
Actually, all of us are resting.
The question is where has our heart chosen to rest?
The verse today from Deuteronomy reveals a beautiful place for us to rest —
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shield him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
It turns out {what we choose to put our rest in} reveals {who we view ourselves to be}.
Beloved?
Am I the beloved?
This is a complicated question for my heart.
But what good is truth if I am not living it, experiencing it in my story?
Jesus didn’t love us simply with his mind far away in heaven.
Jesus became rest for us. As a person. Not as some idea or concept.
Spiritual whitespace is not an ideal concept of rest. Spiritual whitespace is making space to engage our heart with a Person. Jesus.
Let Jesus rest with the younger you.
The Younger You
Think back on significant time in life when rest fell to the wayside — when rest separated you from your younger self.
Write a letter to this younger you.
How old were you & what was happening then?
What would you tell her now, knowing what you know today?
Don’t post it as a comment here today. Let this Whitespace Prompt to {Write a Letter to Your Younger Self} soak in your soul.
Let Jesus be present with you as you write.
Rest in between his shoulders.
Special Whitespace Challenge This Week For You
Write a {Letter To Your Younger Self} in the coming week.
Publish Your Letter on your blog any day.
Use the Special 21 Days of Rest Badge.
Link up next Thursday 6/12/14 (scroll down to end of today’s post)
Or comment next Thursday 6/12/14 an Excerpt from your journal (if you don’t have a blog).
A friend of mine, Janine has been reading my new book released this week – Finding Spiritual Whitespace. When she came across the Whitespace Prompt in the book to write a letter to her younger self, she did.
Here is the beginning of Janine’s letter to her 14 year old self.
I will share the rest of her later next week. As we all share ours with each other.
~~~~~
What is your heart resting in today?
Pull up a chair. Click to comment. Rest is a quiet journey here with you and me.
~~~~~
Let’s Celebrate Finding Spiritual Whitespace!
TWO Special Book Launch Giveaways:
Lisa Leonard Hearts Connected Necklace &
Times Of Refreshing Journal
I’ve created TWO giveaways to celebrate the launch of my new book Finding Spiritual Whitespace. I hope you’ll enter both giveaways and win! Enter by Friday 6/6/14 midnight PST.
GIVEAWAY #1: {35 Winners} Times of Refreshing Journal from DaySpring
My hope is that this wiro-style journal with a handart inscribed Scripture cover inspire your to capture your voice and your ideas — as you take your own soulful journey to rest and find spiritual whitespace.
** CLICK HERE TO ENTER the Times of Refreshing Journal Giveaway **
GIVEAWAY #2: {15 Winners} A Gold Connected Hearts Necklace by Lisa Leonard PLUS Times of Refreshing Journal Gift Set Giveaway from DaySpring
I love wearing this beautiful necklace as a visual reminder that Jesus’ heart is interlocked with mine with rest, as God’s daughter of worth (gold). I hope this encourages you on your journey to find rest with God. To enter this special giveaway, purchase a copy of my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace.
Winners of this giveaway will need to provide proof of purchase to claim their prize. I’m so excited about taking this journey of rest between the pages of this book, friends.
Let’s bring as many people with us as we can. And for more ways to join me on this journey to rest, check out my 21 Days of Rest Challenge over here.
Thank you so much for all your kindness and support during this book launch, friends. Your thoughts and stories continue to amaze and inspire me. I’m so grateful that we can journey together.
Take The Journey of Rest With Me
Take the Finding Spiritual Whitespace journey to make space to rest, despite whatever chaos and stress clutters our everyday lives.
Take the journey of self-discovery with Jesus. Let’s live a better story of rest. Together.
Purchase a copy of my memoir-driven guidebook for yourself and your friends. Because rest isn’t a journey we need to take alone. We need each other.
Because some stories can’t be told on a blog. They are so intimate, they can only echo in the sacred space of the printed page. Letters from my heart bound together for you.
Let’s be kindreds. Let’s meet between the pages of Finding Spiritual Whitespace.
Read about Whitespace from Authors You Love
{click on the endorsements below to visit my friends and read about their Whitespace}
“Why I’m Breaking Up With My Quiet Time” by Lysa TerKeurst
“Help when Your Life Feels Too Busy” by Holley Gerth
“Finding Spiritual Whitespace” by Tsh Oxenreider
( Ann Voskamp shares words of grace at A Holy Experience )
Now It’s Your Turn!
Whitespace Thursdays Link Up
Enjoy some quiet whitespace moments. Share in a blog post.
Publish your post ANY DAY of the week.
Link up on Thursday at the end of the blog post. Visit & comment the post before yours.
Use the Whitespace Thursday Linkup Badge.
Write what prompts your heart. Share your voice.
Today’s Thursday 6/5/14 writing prompt: share your whitespace moment. (scroll to the bottom of post to submit your link)
* If you’re reading the book, share your discoveries. How is the book speaking to you?
* If you haven’t read the book yet, share your whitespace moments.
– moments of beauty and rest
– feeding your soul
– your alone time with God
* Choose your own open writing prompt. Be you.
Next Thursday 6/12/14 writing prompt: write a letter to your younger self. what would you say to her, knowing what you know today?
Click to learn more about Whitespace Thursdays.
** 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!
Submit Your Link Here
8 Comments
I’ve never thought of it this way, Bonnie:
“Actually, all of us are resting. The question is where has our heart chosen to rest?”
Great food for thought as I got about my day today. And rest in it! 🙂
You asked, “Where are you resting today?” And my first thought was that I am not resting at all. I am in turmoil, on a treadmill of anxiety that I can’t seem to stop. But, today I am going to rest in that beautiful verse that you have spoken of. Today I am picturing my small little girl self sitting on top of His shoulders, my arms wrapped around His neck, and holding on for dear life while He walks me through life.
Thank you.
GOD BLESS!
Bonnie, you are such a gifted writer you speaks right to me and to a lot of experiences I’ve had. When I attended a trauma treatment center, I had to write a letter to my younger self and walk her through her entire life and protect her. Then I had to do an ‘experiential experience’ with a therapist that lasted for roughly 2 hours and when I did this, I had to face all the very difficult experiences that occurred to me and face all of them and let my younger self know I was there to protect her. This was a type of a ‘releasing’ session. It was very challenging and painful though. I had to face every very painful memory. I am not ever able to write or speak about any of it in detail ever again. Now, I just need to be surrounded by much love, compassion, support and encouragement.
My heart’s resting in His sovereignty. In the knowledge that He’s in control.
I’m sharing just short blurbs on my blog inspired by the book this month. Leaving a little whitespace for the most part.
Love you, Bonnie.
[…] You’ll find Bonnie’s Day 5 blog post here. […]
[…] up today with FaithBarista over […]
I would tell my younger self…it’s going to be o k. One day you will learn that you have feelings too and you’ll learn how to feel those feelings.
You’ll be upset for awhile because you have taken care of your mother’s feelings almost all of her life.
But then you’ll learn your mother did what she thought best from her viewpoint at the time.
In learning this, you’ll realize what a super dad you had.
[…] up today with FaithBarista over […]