Do you remember hearing the whisper of someone who loves you?
Was it in the voice of falling in love at first blush — someone close and intimate to you?
Or maybe you heard the inaudible whispers of your baby, as he wrapped his fingers tight around yours?
You might even hear the whisper in your own voice, as you looked up at the stars for the first time when snow begins to fall — and as your breath left your body — your whispered His name. God.
All these moments of love are wrapped in the intimacy of quiet.
Quiet is God’s envelope of love notes He slips to you and me.
Quiet doesn’t always mean silence. Quiet is a desire. A listening of the soul. To be available – vulnerable – asking – sharing questions – doubts – wants – needs.
Quiet is making room to receive.
Quiet moments can come when you least expect them. They are fleeting glimpses – taps on your shoulder – to let you know God is whispering to you —
I am near.
I love you.
I am thinking of you.
He might leave you a love note in something you see, as you watch the clouds move behind a tree or your rooftop.
It might be just one word that catches your attention from the lyric of a song or in between the pages of a book.
You may hear His voice lying on your bed as the afternoon sun warms you through the window pane.
Or His words may come to you as you watch the sizzle of salmon turning translucent into opaque or as you wait at a traffic light for green.
The words don’t have to be many. Just like a love note.
Your heart feels known seeing your handwritten name. It keeps you company in the daily grind, the mention of your name.
Whisper His name and listen for his echo in the quiet moments in your day. God names the stars and He whispers your name.
“He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.”
—Psalm 147:3-5
the art of brushlettering for “still waters” is hand art created by
my friend Ellie Camp {instagram: calligraphellie (http://calligraphellie.com/)}
~~~~~
How has God been whispering His words to you?
Is there a Bible verse that has touched your heart with rest?
Write a blog post to share a whitespace moment & link up at the end of today’s post. It’s Whitespace Thursday.
Pull up a chair. Click to comment. You’ll be entered to win beautiful Scripture Wall Art that breathes spiritual whitespace: God will quiet you with His love.
Comment to Win DaySpring’s Urban Soul – He Will Rejoice Over You With Singing – Wall Art
God’s been whispering the beautiful words of Zephaniah 3:17 to me for over a year as I journeyed through anxiety and stress. I never get tired of hearing them. May these words feed your soul, as you rest in His unending love and intimate singing over you.
Enter By Sunday 6/22 Midnight:
To celebrate the launch of my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace, DaySpring is giving away (5) FIVE Urban Soul – He will Rejoice Over You With Singing – Wall Art.
To enter, click to leave a comment.
For Extra Entries:
Tweet or Facebook this: “Quiet is the envelope God slips in His love notes @thebonniegray Win @DaySpring WallArt bit.ly/1pLd3UH #spiritualwhitespace GIVEAWAY”
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Now It’s Your Turn!
Whitespace Thursdays Link Up
Blog about your whitespace moments.
Publish your post ANY DAY of the week.
Link up on Thursday. Visit & comment on the post before yours.
Use the Whitespace Thursday Linkup Badge.
Write what prompts your heart. Share your voice.
Today’s Thursday 6/19/14 writing prompt: share a special Bible verse currently touching your heart with rest and comfort?
Other writing prompts:
* If you’re reading the book, share your discoveries. How is the book speaking to you?
(Submit your post onto my book page too: click here)
* 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’s 6/26/14 Writing Prompt: Enjoy spending time in quietness. Share what you did and what you discovered. Share a whitespace moment.
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!
[hashimage hashtag=spiritualwhitespace limit=15]{email subscribers, click here to link up your post in the Whitespace Linkup.}
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 with journal prompts for individual or intimate group exploration. 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}
( Ann Voskamp shares words of grace at A Holy Experience )
“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
61 Comments
I love this verse, Bonnie. Just so amazing that He takes great delight in us and He promises He WILL quiet us with His love. That in itself is so awesome, but to think He even rejoices and sings over us, too, leaves my heart in awe of His devoted, boundless love for us, brokenness and all.
Me too Trudy. Makes me feel so at ease and relaxed in his love.
I tweeted 🙂
Beautiful words and beautiful print.
This is the second time I’ve read this verse this morning. Must be a message God wants me to hear!
Psalm 42:7 ~ “Deep calls to deep on the roar of Your waterfalls; all your breakers and billows have swept over me”
Even the roar of the waterfall I can hear his Quiet calling to me . . . He meets me there in the depths of my soul. Returning to those places that I’ve papered over, His Love washes over me and over me and over me . . . new mercies each day.
Beautiful wall art, and an even more beautiful reminder!
I also tweeted your give away!
I posted your give away on Facebook, too!
That’s beautiful!!!
I posted on FB.
I tweeted.
Zeph 3:17 is one of my favorite Bible verses. Being quiet to listen is so hard in this world of busyness. I would love to win one. Thanks <3
Beautiful Post
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
I recently had a late miscarriage and this verse has been one that I’ve held onto. My sadness has also brought me to desiring “spiritual whitespace”. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I tweeted.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Psalm 91 has been a restful place for me. . . “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
[…] more words today from Bonnie Gray’s blog post (Day10 of her 21 Days of Rest blog tour). Read more on the quest for rest by following the link to […]
This is my go-to verse. It has carried me through so much in my life!
I’m a new follower to your blog. This is one of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. It would bless my soul — and my family’s souls — to see these wonderful words daily on our walls. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
“Cast your anxieties on Him for He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7
Psalm 62:5-8 concludes with a tender reminder to trust in Him at all times and pour out my heart to Him, for God is my refuge.
“This Hope is an anchor to my soul!” Hebrews 6:19
I tweeted about the giveaway!!
https://twitter.com/got2bsvd/status/479708191421263872
Lamentations 3:19-25 speaks to how I feel so often and God’s faithful love.
Tweeted the giveaway.
Last night after a long, busy and emotionally draining week, reading psalm 18 was like refreshment to my soul. While reading through Bonnie’s book, I am being reminded of the One I need to remember to always run to.
This verse is my absolute favorite- but the ones that I have clung to lately is Habakkuk 3:19
Isaiah 54 soothes my heart and soul.
This verse from Zephaniah is a favorite of mine too 🙂 (I tweeted it.)
You will seek me and find Me , when you seek Me with all of your heart. Her. 29:13
one of my favorite verses and just perfect to go with the theme os spiritual whitespace. I’ve been getting ready to leave for Haiti on Sat. morning, and so have not been as active in the group, but I am keeping you in prayer, dear sister and holding your words close to my heart.
We’re coming up on our 18th anniversary and I was just thinking about how we were towards each other when we dated and the beginnings of marriage. The love notes, the flowers, the deep stares. The thought came to mind that dating should never die. Ever. All that courting should continue on and keep the flame burning. The same with our first love in Christ. The times together. Sharing our experiences with Jesus. Finding those special places to be alone together. These fill my soul. Neglected I become extremely drained. To finding more spiritual white space anywhere and everywhere at anytime. Sending a hug and so much love to you Bonnie
Shared on Facebook and Twitter…Yaaaay!!!
I suppose I’ve heard God’s whisper in my child’s whisper, encouraging quiet. I’ve heard Him in the Scripture, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” I’ve seen evidence of His continued promises in rainbows and hearts around the neighborhood. Praise the LORD and may we all be good neighbors in Christ by sharing and praying for each other in the Sweet Name of Jesus.
a grateful heart ~
Oh this is lovely! Zephaniah 3:17 is my favorite Bible verse!
I also posted on facebook! 🙂
Thank you for the beautiful reminder. Shared on FB.
Beautiful print. Can’t wait to read your book.
I shared on Facebook!
Beautiful giveaway! Tweeted too.
I have been drawn to Psalm 73 – where the psalmist considers his life and found it to be difficult and painful and so he goes to the sanctuary of God and finds understanding as he takes refuge in God. Sounds like he sought and found spiritual whitespace… and perhaps encountered the truth of Zephaniah’s beautiful words.
Psalm 139:1-18 is one of my Go To verses.
But I remember hearing this one from Zephaniah the first time and actually gasping…I want so much for my heart to absorb the truth of it.
Thank you, Bonnie, for your incredibly generous sharing!
Tweeted! 🙂
And shared on Facebook! <3
Every time the song Oceans by Hillsong comes on the radio, iTunes, or Spotify, I can feel myself slow down, listen, and quiet to the words. I think if any song brings me to soul-rest, right now it’s that one.
Going down the waterside after 20 years… A little scared.., not knowing how fast it will be or the drop. Later my 5 year old joins. I say sure. Climbing up with my heart beating… What if …
Reminds me of God our Father. Never a what if. He is sure!
Whispers from His lips to my ear, that I didn’t do a terrible job of parenting. That I have learned what I needed to learn, and I passed on what I was able to pass on. So I need to remember that He didn’t need me to do it ALL. I only needed to do what I was able to do. He DID, after all, pick me as the mother of the children He gave me. And He never intended for me to do more than my best to point them toward Him. Also, I need to leave them in His hands, now that they are out on their own. And not to worry. He’s got this.
God whispers to me by sending me my loved ones in unexpected times of need….Its always sooooo surprising to see my family..friends show up at THE RIGHT MOMENT..and then afterwards thinking…WOW God THANK YOU you are really REALLY listening to me…THANK YOU.
Thank you for allowing God to speak through you and touch my heart, that has, of late, felt used up, cold and hard. Praying He will re-kindle His fire within, and make me more aware of His presence.
I love Zeph. 3:17. I found it about 2 months ago, and the fact that God sings over me just overwhelms my heart. I feel so cherished!!!
My favorite scriptures are Psalm 139:7-10 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven thou art there: if I make my bed in hell behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea Even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me. Knowing that God is with know matter where I go brings me comfort.
Thank you Bonnie for this post. It stopped me and helped me turn my heart to Jesus – oh how I need him!
I am an infant Christian just learning what I know is going to be a glorious experience. But, I need help. Lots of help,. with my hopes and demands and weaknesses. I want to feel Jesus touch me and whisper to me. Please, I am onboard and ready to get started.
[…] I recommend Sandra and Bonnie, two wonderful daughters of God who have helped me understand the power and necessity of sacred […]
Dear Bonnie, talk about a timely post. I actually share about this today because I have been going through a week of decisions and choices that while all good, have put a lot of pressure on my shoulders. I had to pray on them and finally it was like listen that still small voice of my loving Father telling me “the answer has always been in front of you. You just had to catch up”.
Hi Maria, I hope you’re soaking in the peace of all the decisions you’re making… as you listen to God’s still small voice found in you. thanks for stopping by and sharing a cup of soul coffee.