{enjoy today’s Words For Your Soul Goodie. feel free to share this graphic.}
Don’t know what to do, even if you made time for yourself?
You’re not alone!
Lots of people have expressed through the online Spiritual Whitespace Book Club happening on Facebook, through emails & in person whenever I speak — making time for yourself is hard because we’re at a loss for how to spend that time!
We’re so conditioned to do and perform and please, we actually need some ideas to inspire us! We know how to work hard, push ourselves, survive, be amazingly productive go go go, but ask someone to take time to do something they enjoy, that feeds their soul? blank and confused expressions say hello.
So, I’m going to start serving up #spiritualwhitspacechallenge on #whitespacewednesday to inspire you TO ACTUALLY TRY different ways to rest!
This is not a test, okay? These are invitations for you to have fun and enjoy rest together as a community! Ready!?
[ Wk#2 #spiritualwhitespacechallenge ]
Take a walk. Look for God’s love notes.. just for you.[ DAILY WORD CROISSANT ]
Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. (Mark 6:31)[ WHY ENJOY THIS CUP OF REST?]
Just 10 minutes makes a difference!! Research shows that just 10 minutes can refresh you and help with anxiety, depression and just plain regular school work, work and everyday life !:) (yes, even in winter if you can!) http://on.wsj.com/1K4Bge1
Super Cool Thing
Since we’re doing our walk as a way to be with God, we have the amazing benefit of giving God the space to actually speak to us! Can you imagine hearing God’s whispers just for you?! Intimacy with God doesn’t just happen when we’re sitting front of an open Bible at our desk. God speaks to us through Love Notes in nature — things you see, that speak into your heart, just what you need — just for you!
Yes, you can do this, friends!
I’m officially giving you permission to sample different shots of rest on #WhitespaceWednesday.
[THE SUPER COOL THING?] I’m drawing from YOUR moments of rest! Today’s photo comes to us from #soulrestbookclubber Michelle Viscuse who shared her #spiritualwhitespace moment taking a walk on (instagram.com/MichelleViscuse).Many of you have started sharing your moments of rest on Instagram/FB/Twitter (YAY!).
Start Exploring
Don’t sit on the sidelines. Maybe you’ve always wondered what you’d be like if you actually took time to rest. Start *exploring* and *discovering* what that is.
You don’t have to do this regularly on a schedule. Don’t worry about making this a discipline right now! please enjoy!
Start getting excited about the JOURNEY. just try it! And I promise you, God will meet you on that journey of exploring! He’s so excited!
Your family/friends will start noticing and wondering, what are you *doing*? You’ll start answering with smiles and no-guilt glint in our eyes: “Spiritual whitespace. I’m taking time out for me and God — enjoying rest!” (offer to swap time with your hubbies, so they can get that #spiritualwhitespace too. validate their need to rest and affirm how hard they work or the stress their under. encourage them to unplug. (caution: they might just like to tinker in the garage or go out with their guy friends… that’s okay! their #spiritualwhitespace)
Just Listen
some people will say, “oh, I wish I could do that. but I’d feel so guilty.” and you can tell them all about #spiritualwhitespace & point them here. lol. 😉
others will say, “oh! that’s a GREAT idea!” & they’ll start doing it too!
some others will start confiding, “oh, i’m so burnt out… ”
Then, LISTEN. offer your friend the kindness of a kindred. Just to be.
Don’t problem solve. Or give advice or talk them out of their troubles. And I promise you.
They will be refreshed, because just being known without the burden/fear of being “fixed” will bring them a special soul rest.
They will experience Jesus in you. Loving and accepting them. They will leave the conversation with you, with a new soul strength.
Being present. And they will experience what it’s like to be with someone who enjoys spiritual whitespace with God.
Because only someone who has received rest from God can offer rest to others.
Okay. That’s my long shpeel for this first #spiritualwhitspacechallenge. Others will not have such a long text! 🙂
Okay, go forth and rest, sweet kindreds!
[SHARE] Do you enjoy taking walks?
Pull up a chair. Click to comment. This is a quiet place for kindreds & conversation.
** Who can you share this encouragement with today? **
{ Today’s post is part of my online Spiritual Whitespace {Face}Book Club. It’s free! You can join anytime by liking my Facebook Page. Order a copy of the book and grab a journal! Find out more & read about it here https://www.thebonniegray.com/bookclub }
12 Comments
A number of years ago, as a commuter, I tried to become more aware of the details in God’s creation, and give him thanks for the gifts of nature. I began to focus on cloud formations, trees shrouded in mist, sun-sparkles on water, and more. I loved the familiar sights of certain trees along the way, and reveled in new discoveries, like the bald-headed eagle I spotted one morning. The habit continues, although I no longer have to commute to work. Just yesterday I paused to study the snow clinging to a pine tree. Each branch was outlined in white, the bright green needle-points poking through in neat rows, like miniature soldiers on parade. But your post, Bonnie, gave me a new perspective. I never thought to consider these moments as Love Notes–God expressing his love for us, for me, in the miracles and beauty of his creation. My thanks and praise in return then is a Love Note back to him. You’ve added a new dimension to the practice of celebrating our Creator God and his creation. Thank you, Bonnie!
I LOVE to take walks! I used to have more time and I would hike in the mountains by myself. I often packed my camera in my back pack. Somehow climbing to the top of a mountain was the place where I felt so close to the Lord. I would look out on the city of Phoenix and have a different perspective. I always looked for my church steeple in the distance. I would locate my home and see the skyline in the distance. I often prayed for my city and my neighbors while on the mountain top. But I also took time to sit and listen. Sometimes my eye would catch a desert flower or cactus or a unique rock formation. I always think of Psalm 19. I love the beauty of God’s creation. I think you’ve convinced me to take a hike once more. It always takes longer than my shorter walks but …always worth it.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Reading your posts Nancy And Debbie makes me want to get up right now and drive to a beautiful place and walk. I miss the mountains. Your lovely descriptions inspire me to make walking a daily thing once again. I love hearing the birds sing songs. A lovely melody from heaven. I love watching tree branches dance in the bright sun. I feel so empty lately and tired. I fill up by eating too much. Walking will help. I love talking to God when I travel by foot down dirt roads or along river paths. Have a great walk ladies. Before I end – I have to add one more thing. I love taking pictures when I am on a walk. It slows me down and I consider every picture a post card from God.
Thank you, Bonnie. I really like looking at the photo you included with today’s post. It is serene. I am going to pass it on to another kindred in Christ. Bless the LORD.
It sounds like a lovely idea, and so very appealing, but hard to do as a single mom.
I too struggle as a single mom and to a special needs child. I think just trying to grab quick moments whenever I can helps. Keeping my Bible laying out. Anything to keep me looking for Him through the day. But I still struggle too.
I love the idea of looking for Him in the everyday moments. Thank you!
Okay, I’m going to go for a walk tomorrow! Thank you for guiding & inspiring us in this. So thankful.
Bonnie,
I’m in Buffalo, NY and there is something so beautiful about the bare tree’s. It’s almost like the whitespace. All the leaves are gone and you see the differences in the tree’s in their trunks and branches. It facinates me how God cares so much for what He creates. There is so much beauty in the tree’s strip down to there empty branches. I love out doors and I see those love notes from Him.
I use to do this! Thank you for the reminder to start again.
I’m right there with you Katie. Tomorrow I have a date with God, to walk along the ocean. I hope you are able to get out as well.
I do love to take walks. I forget how much I love to do it, until I’m out doing it! Does that make sense? I tend to get bogged down with the “have -to’s” and the “shoulds” and forget to nurture myself by walking. By breathing deeply. By being.
I’m so excited to be on this journey with so many other women who have been echoing what I’ve been feeling, but haven’t yet expressed.
I’m so blessed to be able to walk among the redwood trees, or along the beach as I live right in the middle of both. I definitely need to get out more, and rest in God’s abounding beauty.
Thanks for the great reminder, Bonnie.