The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds…
~~ Psalm 34:4-7, 18, 147
What is the one word that speaks to you in today’s verse?
Tomorrow, I am boarding a plane, to fly from California to a place where winter blizzards fall in sheets of snow, wrapping houses, fields and streets up like pigs in a blanket.
I am going to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I’m leading a community of 300 women on a three-day Spiritual Whitespace Retreat.
I will guiding my new friends on a journey of the soul. To find rest. To create space to refresh our souls. And intimately connect deeply to God. As is.
But, I can’t invite my friends on this journey by presenting a 3-point message or even sharing a list of tips or how to’s.
I will be sharing my story. The little girl in me will be sharing how Jesus brought beauty out of brokenness and how the journey to find rest healed and changed my life.
And I’ll be inviting women to share their stories, through storytelling, journaling, prayer through painting and guided meditation through Scriptures.
To stop surviving our days and dare to be the Beloved. God’s beloved. As is.
I wonder if I will be enough. Will people join me on this journey — and share their stories in return?
A Little Girl
The journey of the heart is always unpredictable — because Jesus invites us to be vulnerable when he calls us to walk by faith:
To walk by faith as a child.
Feeling inadequate, risking rejection.
To be real. And journey with Jesus.
Maybe you’re hearing God’s whispers in a new way this season of Lent too —
Don’t hide anymore. Let the little girl in you walk by faith. With me. Today.
Jesus is calling us deeper. By letting others to know the little girl in you. To know her dreams and her heartbreak. And share what you thought was once lost or forgotten.
Jesus hasn’t forgotten. He doesn’t forget.
A Promise
Maybe that is why Jesus had to share one last meal with his friends before he had to die.
Maybe when Jesus looked into the eyes of everyone he had been living, traveling, and eating with — he saw the little boys and girls hidden within each of them.
He knew they would feel scared, lonely and abandoned — when they would wake up one morning and find Him gone. To see his bed lay bare, too neatly folded and empty.
Jesus knew they needed to hold onto a promise. A promise He would keep to them forever.
Listen. God’s Words For You. Journey.
Jesus probably felt so troubled and yet, the best way He could think of to spend the last night together was to — wash their feet.
To put their sandals back on for them and then rest at a table together — to share a meal. And make an oath.
He made a new promise they had never, ever heard anyone make to them.
They would be reunited one day.
Remember me. I promise.
I’m not going to leave you orphans.
I will make my forever home in you. I will dwell in you.
I will journey with you every day. All the way.
It was a blood promise. And He would give up his own body to be battered and bruised — to be thrown to the side and lashed open — in order to keep his promise.
Do you hear His whispers for you?
Our #OneWordLent Prayer Today
Close your eyes and imagine Jesus — in the midst of all our worries and preoccupation — quietly take off his robe, standing close to you, roll up his sleeves, drop to the floor and look into your eyes.
See him reaching out his hand, his fingers relaxed, ready to wash your feet, if you’d let him.
He wants to be so close to you. He’s brought a warm basin of water, scented with drops of jasmine and eucalyptus. He wants you to relax, sit down and be at rest.
Jesus invites you to lean into him and see the dream that flashed in his heart as he carried the cross: it’s his dream of you, as his fingertips traced the outline of your face and carved the shape of your heart — in the secret place. This dreams came true the moment he drew close and breathed in you. And heard your heart beat.
Let’s pray in this quiet moment —
Lord Jesus,
You feel my heartache.
You hear my heart beat.
You chose me then.
Help me believe you still chose to love me today. As is.
Walk this journey with me.
Just like you promised.
I need you. Today.
This weekend, as I stand there in my inadequacy and fears, I will think back on this very moment Jesus washed the disciples feet.
I will remember His promise to always be with me. I’ll tell the little girl in me she doesn’t have to be strong. She just needs to look down at the hand that is holding hers. And just be her simple, imperfect self.
Then, all I’ll know in that very moment is that Jesus holds my heart fully alive.
I’m on a new journey with Jesus. I am becoming more real. And I’m not alone anymore.
Here together. Where we swap stories.
The ones unspoken. And the ones we express quietly in the comments. I will take them with me. And cherish your words as the little girl in me.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
~ Psalm 34:4-7, 18He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds…
He sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
~ Psalm 147
~~~~~
Is there a promise from God that you’re holding onto today?
What is the one word that speaks to you today?
As the Spirit brings me to mind, please pray for me and the women gathering. Share a comment. Let’s remember and pray for each other. Wherever the journey leads.
Pull up a chair. Click to comment. This is a quiet place for you and me.
* Who can you share today’s encouragement with?
For more encouragement, get a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.
Special 7 Week Lent Series || The Journey
#OneWordCoffee Link Up
Soul 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. ?
Every Wednesday, I’ll invite you to stop, pause, & reflect on a One Word prompt.
Share how One Word speaks to you: 1. Simply post a comment (or) 2. Write a blog post, link up on Wednesdays. Visit the post before yours to comment and encourage. Please use 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 2/17/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: any word that speaks to you during Lent. Or Optional prompt: journey
Today’s 2/24/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: any word that speaks to you this week during Lent. Or Optional prompt: remember.
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30 Comments
“He wants to be so close to you. He’s brought a warm basin of water, scented with drops of jasmine and eucalyptus. He wants you to relax, sit down and be at rest.”
NEAR.
It’s one word.
And reading it caused me to avert my eyes. Look away. Plug my ears.
He knows it is my deepest desire. To have Him near. Near enough to touch me. Hold my face in His hands and love me with His eyes.
He knows it is my deepest fear. He will not come through for me. I will be left standing. Waiting. He will not come near to me.
intimacy is very vulnerable. it’s beautiful you’re feeling His presence that wants to be near. you won’t be left standing. that may be the you that was once left standing alone. but he is with you now. now. right here. with you. quietly, lovingly, with complete understanding. may this one word “near” echo in your heart as God’s prayer for you. today. thnx for sharing so vulnerably julie. xo
Crushed is my word. Words carelessly spoken by others can do much damage to the soul. So I visualize Him reviving my spirit and reviving my heart. I’m not the strong one, He is, so I lean Travel mercies dear Bonnie. Be encouraged as you encourage all those women in Pa. Bless you.
thank you elaine for sharing your beautiful #OneWordCoffee this morning. love how you’re visualizing God reviving you. interested how God leads you with “crushed” to “revive”. may this be a continual movement throughout this day.
Thanks, Bonnie, especially for the beautiful prayer and calming thoughts. The one word I most focused on is BELIEVE, so I looked up the root of it:
The Latin root word cred means “believe.” This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including credit, credo, and credentials. The Latin root word cred is easily recalled through the English word incredible, for if something incredible happens it can hardly be “believed.”
Word Root Of The Day: cred | Membean
membean.com/wrotds/cred-believe
May we all have an incredible, loving Lenten season in the LORD.♥
hi lisa, we are kindred spirits. thank you so much for sharing the root word “believe”. God uses your deeply hearing heart to bless us. i also have been meditating on this ‘believe’ too. the tense indicates “believe into” and is a continuing action, that is present tense, ongoing. just love this invitation to believe and love you shared your #OneWordCoffee together.
[…] at One Word Coffee, Coffee for Your Heart, Tell Your […]
Praying for your time at the retreat, Bonnie. I know your words will be enough because God is always enough, and he’s in your words. Blessings to you, friend!
thanks lisa! i read your post today about how to meditate – and i am so happy that you shared what you learned/experienced from your Meditation and Prayer retreat! and to know you enjoyed an extra seving of refreshing spiritual whitespace. 🙂 #kindreds
Even before I read your words this morning, Bonnie, the Lord was speaking, ministering to me in such a deep way that words are inadequate. (But I will try.) That He sees the hole of sadness I haven’t wanted to see. That He is filling it and continuing to fill it with His Love. Love is my word today. And I know He is bringing you to the women’s retreat to show them His Love through you. To break chains. To inspire. He knows what He is doing through you, and it is beautiful and needed. Rest in that, Bonnie. You know you are not enough in yourself (none of us are), but since you draw your strength from Him, you are and will be more than enough. Sending prayers to you!
sweet Sandra, how beautiful to make this place real with your voice, sharing #OneWordCoffee together – so tenderly – as Jesus moves quietly near the hole of sadness that is surfacing through today’s quiet moment of reflection. thank you Jesus for beginning this work of touching and filling. continue to let this movement in Sandra continue as you tenderly whisper and guide her… straight to your heart. Amen. (thank you Sandra for your prayers!)
I needed to read this today. I am on a healing journey from my past abuse and rape. I have a hard time believing anyone could really love me. There are many ” one words” that speak to me however, trust is the one that is the loudest.
you are brave and beautiful and courageous to journey through these memories that wounded you, so Jesus can walk you through and love you through every heart-breaking, terrifying moment. He was with you then and He is with you know, heart breaking, his voice and tears torn in grief over all you had to suffer. His heart stabs with pain at the very memory with you. And we are all grateful we can be here as you share your moment on this journey with us. You are loved and beautiful and remembered. Jesus won’t leave you on this journey and He won’t stop whispering to you until you’re healed through and through. Dear Jesus, reassure Karen in the quiet, gentle way you love her and understand her completely. Amen.
The one word for me was “healing” – as I was reading another sister in Christ’s blog post yesterday, it touched me so, and as I commented, I could feel the real emotions flooding. I took that and started to write on my own and I discovered some thing buried down in me. I am amazed at how writing is a form of discovery and healing, and I am amazed that he continued speaking today to me through yours, about healing. He is just so wonderful and I am thankful our paths crossed. I am praying for you and those other ladies. I know being real, open and honest is going to bless and heal.
Also, this one line especially stuck out to me this morning:
“Maybe when Jesus looked into the eyes of everyone he had been living, traveling, and eating with — he saw the little boys and girls hidden within each of them.”
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!
Pain is so real for us all but definitely to varying degrees. Maybe even like a roller coaster…sometimes it’s minor twinges but other times we feel crushed. Crushed is the word that stuck out to me. It’s so descriptive of the kind of pain we can experience when it’s at its worst. I can say I have felt crushed. As a child of an abusive home I remember feeling like I couldn’t even breathe at times. I have lost many of my family members, and miscarried two of my own babies. These are the times I have felt crushed. Honestly, when I was a child I distinctly remember peace coming to me in my times of fear and I knew it was Jesus. As a young adult I had lost some of my child like faith and did not seek the peace from the Holy Spirit in me like I knew to do. I struggled alone. I pray that I grow closer to my Lord so when those crushing times come again, as we know they will, I immediately feel him near me. His peace is beyond all understanding and he tells us he is always near.
Bonnie,
So excited to hear you are coming to my state, PA! Welcome to the melting snow – finally! I’ve been to this particular Gettysburg retreat in the past to hear a Soul-Favorite author speak AND am disappointed I didn’t know YOU were the speaker this year or I would have made plans to attend. Just recently got your book to read although I’ve read along online for awhile. I will definitely hold you and the attendees in my prayers this wknd. Deep peace to you as you share your/His heart. <3
Near is the word! I am so grateful He is near. Thank you, after a moring of frustrating tears dealing with insurance mess ups.
The little girl in me sends the little girl in you a big hug, Bonnie. May Jesus hold the little girl in you close to His heart during this retreat and always! I pray the retreat will be filled with His Spirit, that you will find sufficiency in our BIG GOD, and many hearts will feel less alone.
This is so beautiful and that word doesn’t do it justice. I always write my blog before I read yours because if I read yours first, I feel inadequate to write at all. I am just happy that I found you. Just be you at your retreat and that is enough. Jesus will do the rest.
The word that meant the most to me was that Jesus is near. And thank you for embracing your “simple imperfect self”. It helps me to aspire to an identity that is possible rather than the superhuman-lives-only-for-others that was my previous ridiculously perfectionist unconscious goal.
hey morag, i LOVE how you put things so succintly when it takes me 800+ words to convey the same thing! No more living as a “superhuman-lives-only-for-others that was my previous ridiculously perfectionist unconscious goal.” embracing our simple imperfect self.it’s SO freeing, but scary at the same time, huh? 🙂
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Have a wonderful Whitespace retreat, Bonnie!!! Praying for God to pour out His Love, Peace and Healing comfort upon all of you there. Oh how I wish I could join you all!!!
And thank you again for your ministry of words here…they have blessed abundantly yet again: praise be to Our God for using you powerfully!
Oh what a wonderful time you’ll have. I just know it! 🙂 You have so many amazing stories to share and I just know those folks will embrace you and the Whitespace! I pray the weather cooperates for you and all in attendance.
What a beautiful post today. The one word that sticks out is brokenhearted. I’ve walked around feeling the weight of a broken heart for some time but now, more recently, I’ve felt this amazing release into a new season. The heavy weight of greif is behind me and I feel inspired to move forward into something new. I’m looking forward to finding out what that is! 🙂
Hi Krista, THANK YOU for praying for me. It was SO amazing — the whole ballroom was awashed with tears, weeping, laughter and so hearts were touched, changed and it was SO powerful. I will share more in a post maybe next week. I have another speaking conference this weekend for 500, so continue to pray for me as I come to mind. Let me know how I can pray for you, too sister! btw, we’re on FB together, so I got to post some pictures and also sharing highlights of what happened this past weekend. Who would’ve known my terrible, confusing, no end in sight journey of brokenness would lead to this, huh? ? How about you, friend? How are you doing these days? feel free to drop me an email if you want to share that way. love and hugs.
Near
That was the word for me today. I am in the middle of a very busy season of my life. My daughter is getting married in 4 weeks. There is much to be done and I don’t want to miss a thing. But there’s the rub…things will be missed with the people around me if I am so consumed with details. My daughter is leaving our home to live with her husband…totally as it should be and yet it is a change for this mother/daughter relationship. I am finding it terribly sad and yet wonderfully beautiful at the same time. I think what lingers in the background is who am I becoming? What exactly are my hopes and dreams? I have absolutely no idea. None. Not one. Oh, I have fleeting thoughts but nothing tangible that I hang my hat on and say, that is what I was meant to do. Don’t get me wrong, I have a job as a kindergarten para-pro. I love little kids. I have a wonderful marriage~27 years today. I have two wonderful boys. But if you asked me to express the deepest part of my soul…I think I would give you an open hand with nothing in it.
So today, NEAR is a word I hold onto. I need God near to me to unearth the dreams that are in my soul. I need Him to tell me that they are from Him and they are worth exploring and living and giving breath to.
Praying for you and the ladies you speak with that they will taste the nearness of God.
hi JennyBC, I totally relate to what you’re saying when you say you have an incredible marriage, beatuiful boys, and yet feel empty as to how to express what is in your soul. It turns out when I shared about this very same need and experience you’re confiding in us — during the retreat I shared over the weekend — MANY, MANY women felt the same way. So much so, there was tears and so much kinship in the stories that were opened up. Have you gotten a chance to read my book “Finding Spiritual Whitespace” — I share my same journey to feel again that nearness because I had lost it too, even though I had no idea why because everything was going very “well” for me, but yet, inside my soul, was a longing and a deep ache. So, please pick up a copy and let me know how it speaks to you. 😉 // THANK YOU for praying for me. It was SO amazing — the whole ballroom was awashed with tears, weeping, laughter and so hearts were touched, changed and it was SO powerful. I will share more in a post maybe next week. I have another speaking conference this weekend for 500, so continue to pray for me as I come to mind. Let me know how I can pray for you, too sister! btw, if you are on Facebook or Instagram, I posted some pictures and also sharing highlights of what happened this past weekend. I’m at @thebonniegray on FB & IG. ?
Bonnie,
This post so blessed me and I am praying for the Lord to use you in ways you see and ways you don’t to bring freedom, hope, comfort, and courage to the 300 women joining you. God bless you richly knowing He is walking with you and will supply all you need!
Hi Pam, THANK YOU for praying for me. It was SO amazing — the whole ballroom was awashed with tears, weeping, laughter and so hearts were touched, changed and it was SO powerful. I will share more in a post maybe next week. I have another speaking conference this weekend for 500, so continue to pray for me as I come to mind. Let me know how I can pray for you, too sister! btw, if you are on Facebook or Instagram, I posted some pictures and also sharing highlights of what happened this past weekend. I’m at @thebonniegray on FB & IG. 😉
Bonnie at times I am so connected to you! Please read the blog post I just wrote and know that i came from Him and yet we speak so much of the same message, His message!
http://healingtakesalifetime.blogspot.com/2016/02/mad.html