“The Lord your God is in your midst. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you by his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Something big is changing inside me.
It’s as quiet as it feels beautiful and odd.
Because I’ve always been a planner. I like to plot my steps by where I want to go — and then I figure out how to get there.
And that is how my todays have been planned. To get to a destination.
But, God is longing to be more than a destination.
He’s offering me His hand instead of a map.
God is inviting me to a new way of living — and I believe this invitation is for you too.
God is calling us: dare to be my beloved. Today.
Today
A quieter Voice is calling us to stop — stop worrying and planning for tomorrow as a way of distraction and procrastination — and listen to what He has to say to us today.
This Voice is kinder. More loving than all the voices that push us, rush us and criticize us. This Voice wants to provide just what we need this very moment. And calls us to trust Him beyond what we can’t see ahead.
This is hard. Because we are use to providing for ourselves. It’s how we’ve been conditioned to do in this world. Being busy instead of beloved.
But, even among our doubts, a gentle Voice continues whispering —
You were made for more.
Dare to be my beloved. Today.
A Window To The Soul
This Voice is Jesus.
Jesus calls us to choose the quiet — where we can stop long enough to hear His whispers of love for you. And me.
Like a window that opens to the soul, quiet is our invitation to God. To welcome Him into our today.
Quiet doesn’t have to be long, although it can be. Quiet only needs to be intentional.
In our moments of quiet, we realize how much —
we need God’s touch. today.
we need to laugh, sing or shed some tears. today.
we miss the voice of a good friend we’ve wanted to call for awhile. today.
a walk outside can refresh us. today.
a book and turning pages, sipping a cup of tea feeds our soul. today.
bringing home fresh cut flowers breathes beauty to us. today.
we may need to let go of something that looks big and say no today… to free up space to say yes to something small but good for the soul. today.
we may we need to forgive ourselves and begin anew again. today.
Listen. His One Word Whispers For You
In moments of quiet, God’s whispers —
You don’t have to be strong. You can be loved.
I understand all you want to do, but don’t know how.
You don’t have to know the way ahead. I do.
Hold onto me. I’m holding onto you.
You are my beloved. Don’t be afraid.
Tomorrow will come and I will be there with you.
Like manna falling from my heart into your hands,
my words will always find its way in you.
In the quiet.
Today.
Reflect. Today’s One Word
So choose the quiet.
When you come to a fork in the road in the day — between choosing the quiet or filling it up,
by performing, pleasing, or disappearing — stop.
Choose what’s harder, but more soul filling.
Enjoy something no one would be able to point at it
and say, “Look. She did something.”
Choose instead to be loved.
Let God love you.
Choose the quiet.
Respond. Share Your Heart
Stop and pause. Dare to let God’s One Word fall on your heart, quiet like sweet rain.
Be the Beloved. Listen as He whispers — I love you.
“The Lord your God is in your midst. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you by his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
~~~~~
What is the One Word that speaks to you in this verse today?
How can you choose the quiet today?
Pull up a chair. Click to share a comment.
As quiet as the sun rising in the dawn, it’s soft light slowly casting it’s warmth into the room, let the whispers in today’s Scripture make its way in you now.
* Who can you share today’s encouragement with?
For more encouragement, get a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.
#OneWordCoffee Link Up
Soulful Writing With Jesus — Together
This new #OneWordCoffee Wednesday series inspires us to create space in a simple way, to be present, hear God’s whispers, to be refreshed & renewed. ?
How it Works:
Every Wednesday, I’ll invite you to stop, pause, & reflect on a One Word prompt.
Then, you share how the One Word speaks to you: 1. simply post a comment (or) 2. write a blog post, link up on Wednesdays and visit the post before yours to comment and encourage. place the #OneWordCoffee badge in your post(click here) & link back (or) 3. tag photos #OneWordCoffee on Facebook or Instagram inspired by your one word.
#OneWordCoffee ☕️ A simple invitation to create a new rhythm for your soul. To stop and hear God’s whispers. And swap some stories together.
Next week’s 1/20/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: quiet (or) choose any One Word of your choice.
Next week’s 1/27/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: today (or) choose any One Word of your choice.
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63 Comments
Another great post Bonnie. I hope you don’t mind – I’ve shared it with all my 1,000+ friends on Facebook because I think everyone should read this. I especially liked the part where you mention you’ve always planned your todays…but that God wants to be more than a destination, He is offering us His hand. That’s powerful and so beautiful. Have a happy quiet day. Love, your kindred from Cape Town, South Africa 🙂
oh my goodness, beatrice! thank you for sharing! it’s a gift to my heart to know today’s words speak to you and are shared. kinship on this journey. together. today. love right back from California. 😉
Thanks Bonnie. I needed this reminder today to be still, listen for God, and take in His miracle moments♡
so special to start the morning together, vicki. like a diamond in the sand. one moment with God and each other. (love)
[…] This post is part of the #OneWordCoffee linkup at thebonniegray.com: Dare to Choose God’s Quiet Love. […]
Thank you Bonnie. Since I’ve read your book (twice!) I am really trying to find time for space and rest and quiet in each day. I’m trying to worry less about being productive and focus more on just BEING. Being with the Lord, abiding in Him. The quiet times have been the most moving times with Him. Thank you for being so inspiring 🙂
hi jordan! love how you express how quiet moves your soul. so amazing how God is speaking to you through the book — it just shows how shared our journeys with God really are. keep moving towards simply being, that’s where you’re most inspired. and you inspire us! if you ever do a book group study, drop me a note. i have a small group guide for the book Finding Spiritual Whitespace (partially completed). 🙂
I had already written today, but went back:
Quiet Beloved.
Quietness Beloved.
Peace and Oasis.
Know that “I AM”,
Is with you,
In EVERY moment.
My desire is to quiet you
With and in My love.
When you become unsettled,
Draw apart and receive My love.
Invite and allow Me to quiet you,
With My love.
To come and be quieted,
Does not require a literal,
Coming away.
I can do it in a moment,
While externally you continue,
To do what must be done.
There do need to be times,
Other times, daily and first thing,
Where you are choosing to be intentional
About “be”ing with and allowing Me,
To quiet you with My Love.
As you do that,
It will become natural,
To pause during any moment,
Of the day and simply receive My Love,
Afresh and be quieted in your innermost heart.
Be quiet, My Love,
Be still, My Love,
You are safe,
All that is you is safe,
In My LOVE.
A never ending,
Quiet and gentle,
Love.
wow. joan. this is just simply soul beautiful!! thank you for sharing God’s #OneWordCoffee whispers for you… poetry of the soul that touch us so deeply!
Being busy is so much easier than being quiet. I’ve just banished busy from my life as I’m working on breathing this year. But now my moments which were once busy with tasks and stress are now busy with restlessness. Can’t shut my mind off, can’t put down Facebook restlessness. And I’m a planner, a destination girl myself. So maybe this quiet thing isn’t a destination but a journey. Bonnie, thank you. You’ve given me something profound this am.
i love how you say quietness is a journey — not a destination. love that. also love the courageous journey, kristy you’ve made space for — by your breath. now with those moments… restlessness is normal at first… it’s trying to get you to fill it back up with busy. 😉 could God be inviting you to fill that space with something that feeds your soul? so that you can explore filling it with beauty, adventure, friendship, rest, or creativity?
Being busy is always easier than quiet. Quiet causes our mind to move in and take over the void that the “busyness” of our activity has left. I remember hating that time at retreats where we were called to go apart and be with God for an hour, a whole hour, 60 minutes! My mind would let me be quiet for half a second. I always asked if I could have paper and pencil so I could write to God because busy hands were better than nothing. I think that I started overcoming this when I started to look for God in the world around me. It gave me a place to hook my mind to, a place to meet Him alone. Abide with Him and it will come, I promise.
oh, sweet Deborah… I chuckled at what you were thinking about the 60 minutes of tiem alone with God. 😉 It’s beautiful how you share your heart with paper and pencil. Quiet doesn’t mean inactivity… so, it’s beautiful you’re sensitive and asked for it. Love how you shared how your experience in discovering what quiet means to you. Thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffee together. I love being here together.
As a personal trainer, I have had to train myself to learn quiet. As a mother of 2 teens, I am learning “peace”. Today, I must stay home with a hurt teen. .. a teen with a hurtful, hurricane of an attitude. A teen that will push any remnants of my PTSD into popping up. I invited Jesus in to give peace in our world today; to grow us and show us deep love and affection for one another as we both heal while leaning into peace today! Thank you again, Bonnie! For your love for God, and willingness to obey Him, and your transparent heart!!
much grace for your journey — parenting is a deeply vulnerable and soul demanding journey, especially as you step through the rough waters alongside the teenage years. how beautiful God places “peace” right in the midst of this “hurricane” — i imagined Jesus on the sea, standing with you, Alli, bringing you calm and peace as he holds onto you. right away. thnx for your company today having #OneWordCoffee.
You have caused me to think more “Words” in my relationship with the Father. This weekend in a flurry of a 17 year old granddaughter hostessing a self prepared luncheon for 20 people in my home, I heard “abide.” Abide is God calling me to come and sit awhile with him. Come and enjoy the beautiful pink surprise lilies He has sent me. Come, sit, rest and we can simply “be” together in comfort, in silence, but it is in that togetherness that we belong.
it’s so amazing how God whispers just what we need – even on the outside it might not seem to make sense. yet, he knows just the invitation our spirit longs for. beautiful word “abide” He’s placed on your heart – as you walk into this weekend for your granddaughter — together with Jesus. thnx sharing your #OneWordCoffee with us, deborah.
It seems strange, but “midst” is the word God is highlighting for me from this verse. My life right now is in a phase of transformation. My husband has been in a substance recovery program for almost a year, and we’ve both been involved in a Celebrate Recovery program at a local church for several months. It’s amazing how much things have changed in the past year–for the better–but sometimes being in the “midst” of such transformation takes my breath away. There are so many changes: in our relationship, in our family, in our home, in our plans and goals. I confess that there have been nights lately when I lie awake, wondering how we’re going to get from point A to point B. This post and the verse from Zephaniah have reminded me that God quiets and rejoices over me in the MIDST of upheaval and chaos. It’s a snowy day here in the south where I live, so everything’s shut down, and I’m going to just sit back and rejoice in the fact that God is in the center of all things, in our “midst.”
what a beautiful whisper “midst” — i can imagine Jesus bringing all these vignettes/moments to our mind with this one word “mist”- a conversation of the soul He’s having with you. Jesus says, “i know all you’re in the midst of. i’m here. with you.” keep being courageous & brave, as you always have been. thnx sharing your #OneWordCoffee with us, anna.
I am choosing to allow the Lord to “quiet me with His love”. To quiet the fears. To quiet the loneliness. To quiet the heartache. To quiet the questions. His love is enough. His love is all I need or all I want.
Thank you Bonnie. Your words speak so much life into my soul.
hi De, what beautiful, poetic whispers God’s spoke to you this morning. thnx sharing your #OneWordCoffee with us.
That was so beautiful. The roses yes definitely but mainly …I don’t have to know tomorrow because He will be with me. I have surgery Friday. He’ll be there. Thank you Bonnie.
dear Jesus, please continue to speak gently to donna in her quiet moments leading up to the surgery- to reaffirm her. you are and will be there. amen. thnx sharing your #OneWordCoffee with us, donna. will be thinking of you.
Grateful for the reminder that “God is in my midst.” That He will never leave me for forsake me. Blessings
thnx taking time to share a morning moment, so beautifully your #OneWordCoffee with us, rachelle.
Being beloved instead of busy. Such a beautiful reminder of grace, and the choice we have every single day to receive this underserved gift…to thrive or just survive. A hard choice that we can only make because of Grace.
Your post today gave me just the encouragement I needed to move me from my busy to-do list, to being on my knees with our sweet Jesus.
Thank you Bonnie for sharing your heart with us, time and again, and for gifting us with space to breathe and belong, and be loved ❤️
hi jodie, “space to breathe and belong…” you are a poetic soul… how beautiful you to hear how God’s whispering and inviting you to be beautiful, beloved you. i’m so happy you shared a quiet morning moment with me, thnx sharing #OneWordCoffee together.
My Quiet Place
I come to the safety of my quiet place
To share the words of my heart.
I come to the place of my soul’s creation
Where my journey to healing can start.
I reveal my wounds to God’s loving gaze
And I’m healed by the light of His grace.
His tears fall upon me like a gentle rain
As I am held in His warm embrace.
He weeps as He feels the depth of my pain.
His sadness shows on His face.
Here I find peace so I can heal
At home in my quiet place.
-Patsy
wow, patsy. what beautiful words flow from your soul – together in this quiet space with Jesus. thank you for enjoying #OneWordCoffee together this morning & sharing the poetry of whispers on your heart. keep writing – soul beautiful!!
The word “midst” is floating around in my mind. I picture where ever we go, He is there, a never-failing companion through this Earth-journey.
I especially liked your quotes from the heart:
Quiet doesn’t have to be long, although it can be. Quiet only needs to be intentional.
We may need to let go of something that looks big and say no today… to free up space to say yes to something small but good for the soul. today.
You don’t have to be strong. You can be loved.
I understand all you want to do, but don’t know how.
You don’t have to know the way ahead. I do.
Hold onto me. I’m holding onto you.
I am going to share and refer friends back to your blog because these words today speak softly but deeply and I know others will benefit.
Be blessed!!!
meghan, hank you for enjoying #OneWordCoffee together this morning. so sweet to pause and hear God placed “midst” placed on your heart.
“Exult.” (to show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of a success.) I have been struggling with the idea of returning to the workforce for some time. I have managed panic attacks fairly well and even created a work/resume online profile in my former career field. I haven’t worked outside the home in over 25 years and I am PETRIFIED! It has been a little over a year since I created the job profile, and while I have submitted over and over to job postings, I’ve only received a few inquiries, and one interview. I was informed that they decided to go with another candidate. The others were too far away to be considered. I have prayed that God would lead me in the direction I should go, and a couple of weeks ago I made the decision to delete my online profile, effectively giving up on finding something in that field. THEN…strangely, on Monday, I received an email from an office manager very interested in meeting me ASAP. I have an “interview” tomorrow at 9 am. I was not able to sleep Monday night, and then I slept 12 hours last night! I am 58 years old, and even though I am scared, I am DOING this anyway! So, if this is God’s will for me, I can be assured the job is mine and He will be proud of me for completely trusting Him in this matter!
Today’s post boosted my anxious heart. Thank you Bonnie!
diane!! what amazing story — of you and God walking together. in your “today”. dear Jesus, keep guiding diane one word at a time. keep holding her and be with her in the interview and guide her to just be in the moment with you. and with the interviewer to simply be herself. that is who you made her and i pray her heart will be free to just be present, her beloved, beautiful self. and leave the rest to you, who loves her dearly. amen.
Dearest Bonnie, thank you ever so much for the prayer! I went to the interview, which lasted about an hour, and sailed through it! I felt only a little out of my element but spoke honestly about the reasons; like believing I could easily learn any software systems I am unfamiliar with. The office manager told me she did not see that as a problem, as she herself had to be taught as well. (Most of the jobs I’ve applied to required experience with this particular software.) She told me she had a few other people to meet with, then she would sit down with the employer and together, they would narrow the candidates down and have them come in to meet with him before a final decision is made. I am optimistic, but even if it doesn’t work out, I am so glad I did this! I stepped out in FAITH! I will update you when I know more!
wow! that’s so wonderful, diane. God with you — flowing in the moment. stepping out in faith!
Hi Bonnie! I did not get the job, nor did I hear anything back from them one way or the other. Nothing. I prayed about it, and I didn’t get the job. I feel that I got my answer. God will provide all my needs. Blessings!
Thank you for another soulful, hope-filled post, Bonnie. I’m trying to allow God to quiet me with His love. To believe His whisper of “Beloved” is meant for me, too. Blessings and hugs to you!
trudy, thank you for enjoying #OneWordCoffee together this morning. dare to believe… 🙂 may you hear Him whisper “beloved” to you. today. 😉
Quiet is the word that speaks to me in this verse. I can’t hear God unless I am quiet. I am too often afraid to quiet myself because I may see myself that I don’t like. I need to leave that fear with God and quiet myself to listen to Him.
sweet barb, it’s what we feel too.. not too comfortable with the thought — could i be the Beloved? … hold this whisper of “quiet” in your heart – and may it be a sweet whisper to you. a quiet invitation to hear what he would whisper to you in the quiet. with the words you need to hear. that you are seen, known, understood and loved… Thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffee together. I love being here together.
Choice. So many times we say we don’t have time for things, but in reality it is all a matter of choice! We have to make the decision to be still and hear God’s quiet voice talking to us. #OneWordCoffee.
you’re so sweet, sharon. sharing your one word “choice”… and choosing to spend some time here with me and us. Thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffee together. I love being here together.
Just like last week, quiet caught my attention again. But the words you wrote made me think a bit deeper than I did last week. Last week, I told you that quiet complements my word for 2016, contentment. This week, your words, “Because I’ve always been a planner. I like to plot my steps by where I want to go — and then I figure out how to get there.
And that is how my todays have been planned. To get to a destination.
But, God is longing to be more than a destination.
He’s offering me His hand instead of a map.”
Your words make me realize that while I struggle to feel content with the here and now, today, being quiet, listening for HIM, knowing HE is walking with me, guiding me can give me complete peace about now as well as where I’m headed, whatever and wherever that may be; That QUIET that leads me to relationship with Him equals peace. And that allows me to relax and not sweat all the steps in between now and then! Thank you!
wow, Lisa. love how clearly God is whispering into your heart with quiet. a continuing, growing conversation between you and the Lord — and love how you’re sensitive and listening.. that “HE is walking.. guiding..” and it’s his presence HE is reassuring you personally, intimately that is giving you peace and relaxing into what you’re hearing. Thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffee together. I love being here together.
Oh Bonnie, I could have cried reading your message. I had all intentions of linking up but life happens. I still may write a post if I can. Today I was driving to work and my car’s thermostat kept moving towards the red button of HOT. I had to stop several times so it wouldn’t overheat. Halfway to work I finally sat in a parking lot to let it cool down and call in to work to let them know I had to take care of my car. It took me an hour and a half of driving and then stopping and waiting to get to the car shop. The whole time I was praying the name of Jesus. I don’t need a big bill for auto work at this time. The car is still in the shop and I’m waiting at home. I’ve had a bad cold so this time has given me the opportunity to rest. I can’t believe I slept for three hours! But I woke up and reread your post. Simply reading your words helped me in the midst of this uncertainty. I choose to be quiet and trust God has everything under control, even my only method of transportation. So thanks Bonnie!
Sweet Debbie,you are in my thoughts today… and i’m so, so thankful my little note here could be a friend to you in such a stressful morning/day! How is your car…? Can it be repaired? This is hard… I’m so sorry the bill for it came right at this time. I’m thinking of you and praying God is continuing to whisper just the words you need to hear to steady your heart. He will be there with you. And He is right there, carrying the stress of all car program/transportation. Lord Jesus, will you please take care of my sister Debbie and give her peace about the transportation and the financial provision you will make for her. We care for her. Take care of her. Today. In Jesus name, Bonnie
Thank you, Bonnie, for this: “This Voice is kinder. More loving than all the voices that push us, rush us and criticize us. This Voice wants to provide just what we need this very moment. And calls us to trust Him beyond what we can’t see ahead.” For too many years I didn’t hear God’s voice of kindness and love. I heard a voice of disappointment and displeasure. But I’m learning to lean in to his love, to be less driven, and to accept his forgiveness. Thank you for reinforcing what I know to be true, but sometimes have trouble embracing!
thanks for sharing how His whispers are touching you — leaning into “kindness and love”. those critical voices are there for me too… it’s okay. there is a deeper, more gently, kind and loving Voice who will never go away. let’s keep listning and following. we are beloved. you are beloved. thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffee together. so love this here together.
[…] A January of Unwrapping Hope. It is linked up to #TellHisStory and was inspired by Bonnie Gray’s One Word Coffee prompt to reflect on One Word in the following Scripture. I rested on “delight” and […]
Bonnie, there’s something so special about this ministry God has gifted you. Your words encourage as I recognize God moving in a similar way in my own heart: “Like manna falling from my heart into your hands,
my words will always find its way in you.
In the quiet.
Today.”
This especially. This past week, in the midst of my hard, I’ve seen Him reach down and shower me in His Love…I’ve felt Him “delight” in me in the Words He has gifted me…Your prompt also sparked a train of thought that has blessed me abundantly in seeing God moving within me. Thank you so much for leaning in to embrace the One who reaches down to embrace you and move you forward to bless.
sweet anna… it’s so hard but it’s real. His words right there, in the “midst” of your hard. may all the train of thoughts that sparkled in your heart as you read continue to be a beautiful moment you return to. again and again. hold it gently. hold all those beautiful thoughts with love. they are yours. you are the Beloved. thanks for sharing #OneWordCoffee together. so sweet.
Quiet. I need to remind myself each morning to take quiet time each day for prayer and Bible Study. That is the time when I feel the peace that surpasses all understanding. PRAISE GOD!
thanks for sharing this #OneWordCoffee with me, pamela. your one word quiet. how sweet it is!
Delight. I take such delight in my students. I may pump my fist at their success, giggle with glee, shout “Yes”, celebrate with a small chocolate reward, or even stop to show them where they’ve been and where they are now. It’s easy to know, but sometimes hard to feel, that my God may take such delight in me.
that is such a beautiful picture i’m imagining of you CC – reflecting the hear of one who has delight and love for your students — and how God is gently whispering to you.. “can you imagine me doing that for you?… it’s true.” (goosebumps)… let this thought continue to be with you. it’s yours..
Bonnie, I so much resonate with this post today. It is beautifully written, but more than that your words actually give the sense of quieting the inside of the one reading them. I retired a year and a half ago and one would think my life would be slower, quieter, but I realized a couple of months ago that I brought the noisy busyness that was my habit into retirement. Oh, yes, the things that caused them were good things, but not the best things. I have been pursuing quiet beyond my quiet time like snuggling into my favorite chair. As I was reading your post, I also smiled as I recalled breakfast with an old friend a few days ago. She commented that I have always seemed calm to her, but she thought I seemed even more so and that it was a different calm somehow. Thank you, Lord. That is surely His work!
Blessings on your day!
Pam
sweet pam, what a beautiful season to journey in new ways with God… love how you’re listening and sensitive to His Spirit… no doubt it’s flowing from within — this calm that others sense.. of being close and near with Jesus.. so sweet to spend some time together here. thnx.
[…] I’m linking up with Faith Barista for #OneWordCoffee! […]
In that verse the word delight brings a smile. I like to think my moves toward soul filling please him.
that’s beautiful, esther!
Thank you. So many thoughts run through my head…thank you for sharing.
martha, thank you for sharing, to hear how #OneWordCoffee speaks to you. so touching.
God’s whispers…..
You don’t have to be strong. You can be loved. I understand all you want to do, but don’t know how.
This Word from God just tears down every wall, every stronghold that has been hoisted around my thought process and heart, from years of conditional Love and unintentional self neglect. It has never occurred to me that God knows that I don’t know how, yet, He is the author of those things I long to do. I just felt broken like an ill working compass missing the mark and direction toward the paths that He has called me toward. I feel his embrace now, He is holding onto me. I am His beloved.