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Be Here Now. A More Beautiful Place

By Bonnie Gray • September 25, 2014 • 14 Comments

{be here now. journal given as a gift by janine crum}

“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant

Making the unknown known is what is important.”

Georgia O’keefe

Did you ever wonder if you have anything to offer to the world?

With this one life, do you ever worry if you’ll ever be able to find it time… to be you?

I do.

But, I have found even in the midst of my self-doubts, something quiet and beautiful always manages to reach through.

It is a hunger.

A desire.

For more.

Than this.

This hunger, this desire tells me that there is still a heart beating inside me.

That wants to be known.

Do you ever get a glimpse — a spark of what it is that moves your heart?

If you are able, step right through the other noises and voices that tell you —

it’s too late.

it’s not good enough.

it’s too small.

it’s too quiet.

Look to Jesus.  See him standing in front of you.

With his gentle eyes and knowing smile.

See Him beckoning you to join him to walk out onto a new path.

To be known.

To be loved.

Do what you would do if you could feel God’s hand firm on your shoulder and no one else is in the room.

Speak.

Paint.

Sing.

Dance.

Write.

Smile.

Pour some tea.

Sketch.

Bake.

Cook.

Walk in the light rain, under an umbrella and hear the first autumn rain fall.

Whatever it is,remind yourself Jesus always finds the Ones He loves in a crowd, no matter how many hands seem to be grabbing at him, He’ll see you.

Are you up in a tree — shoved in the back somewhere?  He sees you.  He’ll invite himself over.  Just to break bread and drink wine with you.

Are you far away on an island by yourself?  Like the man who lived among the tombs at Geresenes, He’ll take a boat and sail, just see you.  He’ll touch and change you.

I know there are a lot of loud and busy voices that can make you feel you can’t be known or heard. They make me feel this way too.

But, I dont’ want to disappear anymore.

I want to feel my heart beating.

I want to be here.

And I want to be present.

Right now.

As is.

This world can become an even more beautiful place if we all stopped trying to be unbroken.

Because maybe then, we would all become real and known.

We would offer each other kinship.

And we can all be here now. Be present. As is.

Don’t be ashamed of embracing and taking your moments of joy.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, to look awkward, silly or a beginner.

I’m beginning my new life as the beloved.  And I’m happy we’re on this journey together.

I hope today’s Whitespace Moment has inspired you be a little more known — in your own quiet or boisterous way.

What God wants for you is to be known.

To be loved.

To find rest.

The way to find rest may not be the way you imagined it.

But when you dare to be known, you are resting in the arms of Jesus.

Be here.

Be present

Be here now.

~~~~~

What is your whitespace moment this week – where you feel most alive and present?

What helps you be present and rest in who God made you?

Pull up a chair. Click to comment.  This is a quiet space of you and me.

Or write a blog post in the coming week. Share an inspiring quote or write about your whitespace moment and link up.  If it helps, you can use “Be Here Now” as your writing prompt.

Now It’s Your Turn

Whitespace Link Up

whitespace-badge

Blog about your whitespace moments. 

Publish your post ANY DAY of the week.  

Link up on Thursdays.
Visit & comment on the post before yours.

Use the Whitespace Thursday Linkup Badge.

Write what prompts your heart. Share your voice.

Today’s Writing Prompt:
{be here now}

Other writing prompts:

* If you’re reading the book, share your discoveries. How is the book speaking to you?

*  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.

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.}

An InLinkz Link-up


Take the Finding Spiritual Whitespace journey to make space to rest.

spiritualwhitespacebookLet’s be kindreds. Let’s meet between the pages of Finding Spiritual Whitespace.

“Whitespace is soul grace. Bonnie Gray ushers weary women into the real possibility.”–Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts

“Women need this message. If you want to hear Jesus speak more tenderly to your soul than ever before, this is the book for you.”–Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author of Unglued

“We live in a culture that brags and boasts about being busy. Into that reality steps Bonnie with a new idea.”–from the foreword by Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Start

 

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14 Comments

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14 Comments

  • Reply Trudy September 25, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    I love how you portray Jesus as so loving and approachable, unlike what I grew up with. Thank you, Bonnie. I’ve been so longing to be a thriver instead of a survivor. But maybe my problem is I strive too much to be unbroken instead of telling myself it’s ok to be broken and there can be beauty in being real. Still working on it… Such a paradox when I shouldn’t be “working” on it but just let be and let go… It’s such a new concept to me that to be real is to thrive… I always think I have to be “fixed” first in order to thrive. Does this make any sense?

    • Reply Bonnie Gray September 25, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      you are loved as is.. what do you want to do now.. as is? don’t wait… i think we’ll be waiting our whole lives because everyone is broken. really. in some way. that’s what makes us human. i would’ve never written the book or blog if i had to get “fixed first. 😉

  • Reply Lisa September 25, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    That was just beautiful, Bonnie. You have such a way with words, good words. Shanah Tovah 5775 to you and yours, to all the kindreds sojourning in Christ!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray September 25, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      shana tovah, lisa! a second new beginnng! 🙂

  • Reply allison September 25, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    Well I’ve lost it… new kids school schedule, new school for me, and gratefully a full work schedule means loss of whitespace. Whitespace so needed to handle twin teens, an aging bipolar mother with beginning Alzheimer’s, and a husband caught in the hubbub of it all. God has been so faithful; but I feel the familiar creeping of “overwhelm” as it climbs from the pit of my stomach, up my shoulder blades, through my neck and into my jaw. I am asking God for release, reshuffle, guidance as I tread water trying to swim back to Him thru this sea of stress! How do people do this? He is my big rock… how come I keep reducing Him to a pebble??

    • Reply Bonnie Gray September 25, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      you can find Him and yourself again. it’s okay, allison. we all fall and we all rise many times a day. 😉 either way, we are loved. stay present… find some space to fill your soul. the journey will feel different with each moment you give yourself grace.

  • Reply Carol Longenecker Hiestand September 25, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    It’s do easy to try and figure out HOWGod should work when being here is what is needed. That and paying attention

  • Reply Ann September 26, 2014 at 4:45 am

    Dear Bonnie
    I love to hear what you have to say it so encourages me!
    I am 62 and just starting to understand I have a story and its okay to tell it.
    I am also on a journey to realizing that I have not just” fallen through the cracks”
    with God.
    Thank you for your help!

  • Reply Christine September 26, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Hi Bonnie,
    I was just wondering if you had put out blank journals that went with your book. I can kind of picture a pretty one with lovely illustrations and pictures. And the pages inside would have scripture quotes and maybe quotes from your book. Please let me know if you put one out and I missed out on it somehow. Thanks.

  • Reply Meaghan Traxler September 27, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Embracing my silly insecurities and weakness’s is a struggle. Bringing them Jesus is also a struggle because I feel embaressed, like “other Christians don’t struggle with rejection or insecurity. You’re not strong.” But Jesus loves it when we are needy for him. He loves us like a father loves his little girl. It may be cute and silly that his daughter is crying over her lost ladybug but a father hears that cry and wraps her in his arms just longing to comfort her. You must have felt a wave of relief as you were writing this. This post is beautiful.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray September 29, 2014 at 9:11 am

      hi meaghan, this is beautiful. there is a strength found in becoming real and loved — that won’t break even when we do. it makes us brave and the world a warmer, more beautiful place when we can be known. i understand this struggle you describe. find the soulful kindreds who understand and journey together… we treasure them… *you*. you’re a gift, meaghan.

  • Reply Emily September 28, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    I sat down today to start moving through you ur book. I have read the first two pages of chapter one and am already in tears because I can so identify with your words and your experience. Anxious about continuing through it but also excited and looking forward to seeing what God has on the other side.

  • Reply Terry September 28, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Hi Bonnie,

    My 22 year old daughter passed in a tragic car accident this past June and since then I have felt broken inside. Your book was my bible and it helped me find the white space/soul space I needed to grieve and think about her. I now make quiet time daily to think about her and write in my journal. I am going to reread your book and more actively participate this time in the activities you suggest. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

  • Reply Debbie September 29, 2014 at 5:16 am

    I love these whitespace moments. I have to share that this weekend I was invited to photograph a children’s birthday party. Well, this wasn’t an ordinary birthday party. First of all, they were celebrating three birthdays; their one year old, four year old and five year old. No wonder the mom rolled them all into one party. But it was a fabulous party for children. As I was taking my photos, I was actually enjoying the moments. As the children smiled and ate cake pops and ice cream, I loved capturing their faces that got quite messy. They are often my favorite photos as they enjoy the moment. The children teach me much about experiencing life. One little girl was fascinated with the petting zoo area that was set up. She had no fear as she touched bunnies and baby pigs. She loved the horse and was touching him for a long time and finally got to ride on his back. Those little moments; oh my! I was so thankful to be aware of the blessing of viewing the children in action and my heart was so filled with love. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your whitespace moments as you’ve encouraged me to seek out my own.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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Bonnie Gray

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