(my images are goodies for you to share and pin.
soul goodness among kindreds)

Dear Friends,

I finished setting the table and there’s a break before I need to start putting the turkey in the oven.  So, I wanted to write you a letter from my heart to you and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

It’s a first Thanksgiving for me today.

You know how, there are moments in your life that irrevocably change you — and life becomes split into pre-Moment and post-Moment? It happens to happy things like the day you got married (you say 3 years after I got married or back when I was single) — or when you’ve your babies (you say 3 years when I became a mom). These life defining moments also come to us when they write sadness into our stories too. Like the loss of a family or friend, a home, or a difficult time in our finances, dating life, ministry, or careers.

Well, for those of you who journeyed with me for a long time on the blog — and those who have read my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul, you know that three years ago, I experienced my first panic attack — which triggered a lifetime worth of childhood memories that have been very painful to surface.

My life is forever changed. I have come to understand truths about myself, my family, my friends, my faith — along with the pain, my fears and wounds that can never be erased on this journey.

Not Ashamed

My Pre-Spiritual Whitespace and Post-Spiritual Whitespace life is both brokenness and beauty. It is a testament to what begins in nothingness, God makes something beautiful.

Instead, God has made them beautiful by transforming all my brokenness into a doorway into a beautiful soulful life I didn’t know could exist for me. To be known. To uncover my story and to experience a new intimacy with Jesus — who is helping me redefine what is family, what is friend, and what is faith.

The memories that have been reignited do not fade. It’s the opposite. God is remaking my heart by allowing the tenderness of sorrow return to me. So, my heart can breathe and come alive again.

He is making me new again by whispering —

You are all mine. Every piece of you.

You are my beloved.

I once thought that anxiety was something to feel ashamed about. But, I am understanding anxiety is really my heart’s whispers to be known — which God longs to answer and love deeply.

Which God has done through you – as we share our stories.  We may feel afraid, but we don’t have to be ashamed. Together, we can hear God whisper —

You are all mine. Every piece of you.

You are my beloved.

The First Time

This is a first Thanksgiving for me.

Because tonight, I’m hosting Thanksgiving for the first time in three years.

This year, anxiety doesn’t have a strong grip on me any longer. After two years of intense therapy for PTSD, I no longer have panic attacks and insomnia.

And so, it’s the first time I invited a friend and her family to join us.

It’s a big deal to me. Because now, post-Spiritual Whitespace, I know Jesus and I can face the brokenness of life because God can make everything beautiful again.

God is making everything beautiful — through you.

No Longer Alone

Looking back, I see you, dear sweet kindreds walking alongside me — sharing my story, giving me a voice by echoing back that you understand, you hear — and that you have a story to share.

Thank you for recommending the book with your friends, for sending me emails and leaving me notes on Facebook, Instagram about how the book has spoken to your heart.

Looking back, I can see that I will never be the same again. I’m no longer alone.

Everything I have ever feared — my journey is known — to God. To my family and my friends. And to you.

A Friend in You

Thank you for your continued kinship here on the blog.  Throughout my starts and pauses. Through my changes, you have kept me company and shared your stories.

The little girl in me is no longer alone. She has found a friend in you.

As I sit at the table tonight, able to pop up and serve this year — to toast and to cut the apple pie (pumpkin for hubby and other pumpkin lovers) — I want you to know I’m bowing my head to thank God for you.

Because the deepest parts of me I pour out onto the page — onto this blog — through my words.

My words are the most intimate part of my soul. It’s where I talk to God through my journals. It’s how I express my soul.  So, thank you for being gracious and kind. Encouraging me by being here.

I don’t take it for granted that a friend like you across the miles has heard and echoed back, so I can hear your voice too.

Wherever You Are

I’m not the same anymore. I’ve thinking a lot about what I want to write about post-Spiritual Whitespace. And I’m so grateful I can be free to share this journey moving forward together.

Whatever I discover I’ll share with you. It means more than you will ever know to hear you share your stories – and your moments with me.  I know the blogosphere can be a noisy place — and so many words to read.

I value your company.  I hope this place on the blog and connecting together on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest brings your soul quiet rest, sweet kinship and refreshing encouragement — just as you’ve given me.

Wherever you are as you read this today, know you are loved. Cherished. Just rest.

Let’s give thanks, not because life is perfect, but because we’re loved.

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet kindreds.

     With love and affection, Bonnie 

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16

Pull up a chair. Click to comment. It’s nice to share this moment with you.

For more words of encouragement, order a copy of my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.