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I created a very special video for you today.

Sweet Kindreds, I have a new year’s challenge for your heart.

Enjoy this #soulmocha. Brewed just for you.

I know I said I would be unplugging until the new year.  But, I did something this weekend, that I was enjoying so much, I couldn’t just keep it to myself. I pulled out my iphone and started videotaping a message from my heart to you.

I keep a tripod in the trunk of my car now, ever since I created a few of these “soul mochas” for you — as I see you’ve been viewing and sharing them with your friends.

Your response let me know you enjoy taking a virtual coffee break with me through these video clips.

So, if I’m out enjoying one of my spiritual whitespaces and I somehow feel prompted, I can spontaneously take a virtual coffee break with you.

And that’s what happened this weekend.

All That’s Happened

Every year, before the new year gets under way, I spend some alone time with God outdoors.

To walk and talk about all that’s happened this year.

To reflect and listen.

To whisper —

I am here.

To ask — as my steps crunch on rocks along a dirt path

What will the new year bring?

To pray — under a big sky and a chilly breeze

Breath of Heaven. Hold me together. Be forever near me.

Help me be.  Help me.

Tug of Guilty. But then, Jesus.

Eric and I swapped whitespace time on the schedule, and while he had a Dadddy-and-me afternoon with the boys, I left the house, feeling the usual tug of guilty feelings, But I kept assuring myself, feeding my soul will allow me to return more filled and present to love on my man and my boys.

I thought of Jesus —

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” (Mark 1:35)

I am not a morning person — at least not the kind where it’s still dark.  But, I love imaging Jesus getting up and walking out of his house, making his way to a secluded place alone.  I love knowing Mark tells us that Jesus did this when throngs of people were coming everywhere, hearts heavy with needs, wanting to healing, help.

So much to do, yet, something inside Jesus knew He wanted to be alone with God.  To talk and confide.

And just be free from expectations and doing.

To just rest. And be known.

Something inside me wants this too – the me who longs to be with Jesus.

There are some things we can’t hear God say to us, unless we’re finally alone with him.

Jesus loves intimacy. At the end of a long year, I especially hunger for some intimate, soul conversation with God too.  It feeds my soul.

I enjoy a special end-of-the year time with God in spiritual whitespace.

Who We’ll Become

If it’s raining, I’ll still take a walk outside, with my gloves, an umbrella.  Getting a little wet doesn’t bother me.  And even the cold is welcome because it takes me out of my comfort zone — though it definitely makes it harder to push past the resistance.

After the walk, I find a quiet place to write.

Some years, I get away for half a day or even a whole day.  Other years, when I was a new mom or if the kids are sick, I can only get away for a few hours.

You know, this is one of my favorite times of the year.

I love this little pocket of quiet and rest in right, in between between Christmas new year’s eve and new year’s day.

Right at the turn of a new chapter.

There’s just something special about this time.

I think it’s a wonderful time to really reflect on all of the journey God’s brought us through and just to explore what the new year might bring.

It’s so important to have a conversation with God — not just about what we’ll do — but who we’ll become — with God together on the journey of a new year.

 A New Year Whitespace Challenge

A Whitespace Challenge: Write a Letter

Today I’d like to challenge you:  Sometime as the new year turns, bring with you a journal and a pen and spend sometime in the quiet and outdoors.

And just write.

Write and a letter to God.

Or allow yourself to just listen.

Listen to what God’s letter to you might be in the new year.

I hope you have a wonderful time of whitespace and quiet.

I’m looking forward to sharing our new year together.

I have a special invitation for you to share your journey with me in the new year.

And I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

For now, start today.

Give yourself permission.

To get away and journal your new year letter with God.

Journal and journey this year with your heart open.

Let’s walk into this new year together. With Jesus. Hearts wide open.

As is.

~~~~~

How is God inviting you to begin this new year?

How can you spend soul-intimate time with God as you turn a new chapter?

Take time to write that letter.

Pull up a chair. Click to comment.  I love hearing your voice.

Get Ready for 2015!

Our Spiritual Whitespace Face(Book) Club starts January 22nd

Order the book — invite a friend — and get ready to be soul refreshed!