I’m wondering — this day or even this week — has something blindsided you? Has something unexpected caught you in the moment and you don’t know what to do next?
Some of you may wonder given I’m still sensitive to stress, how I’m able to write Book #2 (which I’m preparing to invite you to join me for the book launch! Please help me get the word out, friends!). Well, first I have learned to do things slowly, giving myself permission to be honest and choose what brings me peace and joy, rather than always problem solving it away (which isn’t always humanly possible, right?).
I also prioritize discovering how I best refresh my soul with God. For me, it’s walking in the morning after dropping off the kids at school and confiding in God. Whatever I hear during that time, I’ve decided to share it with you in these videos – right in the moment. Thanks for spending time together this way. It’s a gift to me!
Click below to watch today’s Video Devotional for Your Soul – inspired by the apostle Paul’s story in Acts 9. Share a comment with me after watching. Then pass on to encourage a friend! May you be inspired as God renews your faith tenderly. Beautifully and beloved.
Whatever you’re walking through, may you feel the reassuring voice of God’s love for you through the encouragement in this video. I shot it late last week, after the flooding in California, which you’ve probably heard in the news!
If You Prefer To Read Today’s Devotional
Hi,
This is Bonnie Gray — and I’m so happy to be talking with you here on this early morning. The sun is just rising and peeking up behind the mountain as you can see. And it’s been a whole week of rain — and even hail was coming down yesterday!
Now, as I was walking up this path, I was thinking of the apostle Paul, and how he was blindsided, on his way to do something he was really passionate about — on his way to Damascus.
And I’m wondering — this day or even this week — has something blindsided you Has something unexpected just caught you in the moment and you don’t know what to do next?
Well, it’s interesting that Jesus, when He spoke to the apostle Paul, He told only him only one next step and didn’t even give him all the answers — and Paul couldn’t even still see! But, Paul had to be led by the hand.
I’m wondering now, if we took some time — Listen.
What is God whispering to you?
What is that one next step He is nudging you on?
And as you do, remember to reach out to people around you, that you’re journeying with.
Confide in them, so that they can hold you by the hand. We need the touch of a real person — the voice of a real friend — when we can’t see what’s happening next.
So, be encouraged. Share your voice and your story.
Click to share in the comment with me — what is something you’re going through this week?
What is something you’re facing unexpected?
And remember as you go about this day —
You’re loved and you’re cherished. Just rest.
Love,
37 Comments
Thank you for the encouragement, Bonnie! I am so learning ‘one step at a time’ at the moment through many situations that have arisen. This is the message for me at this stage of my life (in many areas!) and I am very grateful to be reminded to just take that next step and not worry about what is after that. Thank you and God bless you heaps!!
Ruth
dear ruth, how sweet it is to have kindred spirit sharing this journey – and to know the whispers that speak to my heart encourage yours is a gift to me today. thnk you for sharing. love, bonnie
Bonnie I love this! It is really what I have been thinking about…Although not so poetically as you. My son is facing a court hearing next week regarding a car accident that took a life. This was a real blindside moment for him and for all of us.. Knowing we are in God’s hand as well as being held by God’s hand is a comfort. And people who don’t necessarily have the answers but help you walk through it with their hands and hearts are Christ’s body on earth. I was really encouraged by this video today. Thank you.
So sorry Mary. I will be praying for you and your son and for the family who lost a loved one too. Hard stuff.
Sweet Mary, what a difficult situation you’re walking through with your son, as you await what happens next week. Our hearts are burdened with yours, as you take just one next step God whispers on your heart – and as you hear that whisper, may you be reassured of God’s hand of comfort – and the friends He’s placed around you so you can know you are beloved — as you walk with your beloved son through. Thank you for sharing.
.Thank you both Bonnie and Veronica for your prayers and encouragement. Praying for you Veronica as both joy and sadness fill your heart.
.Thank you both Bonnie and Rachelle for your prayers and encouragement. Praying for you Rachelle as both joy and sadness fill your heart.
Praying for you and your son, Mary
My 14 year old (special needs) nephew was taken by helicopter to the children’s hospital due to his respiratory system shutting down. He has been on life support and sedated. After 10 days at the children’s hospital I praise God to report that he is improving!! However, in the mean time our grandmother passed away and the funeral services are tomorrow (Friday). Grateful that she knew our loving Lord and Savior! Blindsided and grateful. Blessings 🙂
Rachelle, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved grandmother. I am praying for strength and comfort for you and your family. Prayers also for the continued healing of your nephew. Big hug.
dear rachelle, we feel relieved with you to hear your nephew is pulling through. and yet, our heart sinks to hear of your grandmother’s passing. Thank you for sharing, as God whispers comfort and love to you, as these blindsided moments bring us closer to each other on this journey as we encourage each other. love, bonnie
Hi Bonnie, I wanted to share a book recommendation with you that I read recently. It’s called “The introvert’s way : living a quiet life in a noisy world. It reminded me quite a bit of your book on Spiritual Whitespace. This evening, I’m attending a conference where the theme is “Dare to Be” where they remind every woman that she is capable of accomplishing all her God-given dreams through Christ who gives her strength. Can you please say a prayer for me today? Sending you love, dear Kindred and His sunshine. 🙂
dear veronica! i’m so excited for what God will be whispering on your heart at this conference! may you feel the gentle touch of God’s hand in yours as you walk into the room and bring you peace to just be as you are. beloved and real. we’re cheering you on!
Thank you sweet, Bonnie. 🙂
My teenage daughter is going through a rough time battling anxiety and depression. My husband and I ended up taking her to a psychiatrist on Monday for a proper diagnosis and medicine, and it hit me hard. It very difficult to watch your child suffer. I know the Lord is right in the midst of this and won’t leave our side, but it’s still rough :/
dear nan, this is very difficult for a mother and father to see their child in pain — thank you for having the courage to bring her to a psychiatrist on Monday – doing just the one next brave thing. dear Jesus, we are so thankful that nan and her husband are taking this loving step to care for their daughter and I pray you will shine your wisdom and begin your healing on their teenage daughter, for the road of recovery ahead. Give nana and her husband permission to comfort and help each other, as they need your special love too – as they care for their daughter just one step at a time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you SO much for your transparency and the truth you share.
I have recently been blindsided by 2 ( who I thought were) close friends, and am experiencing the pain and rejection of that.
Thank you for your online friendship as I am deeply in need of friends right now.
Oh Linda how I know how you feel. I was devastated by the rejection of a very close friend 18 months ago. I found that by praying for my ‘ex-friend’ EVERY day and asking God to bless her and lead and guide her, it has helped me to avoid bitterness. Keep looking to our loving Father who knows. Jesus was rejected by ALL his human friends and He understands your pain. He will comfort you and help you heal. God will provide another friend for you in time. He has for me and I am so intensely grateful and blessed and am rejoicing that we are given so much MORE than we need. Just take one day and one step at a time. Allow yourself to grieve for the loss of your friends. It hurts so much, I know. We are only responsible for ourselves, not others. Will be praying for you!
Thank you so much Ruth, I really appreciate that 🙂
Thanks for this Bonnie. I have needed huge doses of whitespace lately that I hardly have time for… I lost my sweet mom last Sunday…and am in the throes of grief and trying to put together a service. It’s even harder when my sister who is unstable and will not communicate with me except to lash out, call me names and then hang up on me…even in front of funeral staff.
It’s only God that is giving me strength and leading and guiding me to do what He wants me to do.
Bless you Bonnie for encouraging us all.
I don’t know that I’ve actually been blindsided, but I do have some ongoing things, writing my blog has been fun and I hope to more as God take my hand. You are right, He doesn’t tell you everything at once, I think it’s because His ways are higher and we would just be overloaded, but He says the Holy Spirit will show you things to come, whether as a dream or vision, or just something strongly on your heart, it is best to walk in obedience and trust His ways are better than our plans. And by the way the sun was beautiful coming up over your head, He gets the glory.
I came across this quote not long ago, from Martin Luther King, Jr. “Faith is taking the first step even if you don’t see the whole staircase.” I thought it an insightful reminder; maybe you’ll like it, too! Thank you, Bonnie, for YOUR reminder we’re not on this staircase alone, to avail ourselves of the encouragement and support of others. The wisdom you share here at Faith Barista is certainly part of that encouragement!
this is a beautiful quote from Dr. King Jr. I love it so much. thnk you for sharing it with us here, Nancy, as we read through the comments.
I love your faith and your tender heart, Bonnie! My husband had a bad cough with no energy for quite some time. This week, on my birthday, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. You could say this was a blind side for us! However, God came through in so many ways that it has become a thanksgiving for us. This has deepened our faith and made us appreciate our family and friends who supported us
throughout that hard day and are continuing to do so. We are indeed living “one day at a time” with grateful hearts.
dear laura, how is your husband doing this week? you are very blessed to experience the miracle of finding family among friends. it’s such a gift. the gift of presence. and i’m so grateful you and your husband have that gift from God. thinking of your one-day-at-atime journey.
Dear Bonnie, Thank you so much for your very encouraging note! My husband is doing fairly well, he goes to his G.P. next week to get his questions answered. Bless you for pointing out the “gift of presence.”
This gift is one which has become stronger in me in the last while, praise Him. It helps me to have a grateful heart as I see His hand in my daily journey. And, it is a way of encouraging my husband when I point
out ” God incidences” to him. I love the gift of encouragement that you share with all of us, how precious that is, beloved!
it’s amazing how the gift of presence becomes SO priceless and suddenly everything changes value — meaning we see the beauty of simple graces! don’t you think? i’m encouraged to hear your husband is doing fairly well. may God continue to guide you one moment at a time.
I heard from someone wise that the journey is the end itself. I loved that. I can think that each step is the journey itself, helping to stay present in each moment. Always so refreshing, your gentle presence, Bonnie. Thank you!
dear lynn, i always love hearing from you. YOU are a gentle presence, with wise words to share. have you been writing any lately? i was gonna come peek in and say hello at your place, but see you don’t have a url?
Thank you Faith! Yes, I have been writing and blogging at https://lynnjsimpson.com. The last two weeks have been guest posts as on vacation in Maui from winter Canada. Your words always very encouraging to me!
Hi Bonnie … it’s coming up to the anniversary of my best friends death. We are holding a memorial service for her on Feb 18 .. It would have been her Birthday last week .. I have been blindsided by grief today .. Struggling .. Lots of things from our friendship that I am abundantly thankful for (including the fact that she knew Jesus – but just sad today that she’s not here ..
dear linda, the tears you shed and the sorrow you feel expresses the depth of friendship you experienced with her. what a gift and also what a sorrow. may you feel the comfort of God’s presence you say goodbye – and beautiful memories guide you during this time of grieving. thank you for sharing with us.
Dearest Bonnie, Very happy to know you are doing so much better! Last year my husband of 52 years completely blindsided me by accepting a false religion as “truth”.. He was in the Baptist church for years, taught Sunday School & sang in the choir & now he says all that was lies because they worship on Sunday & do not follow all God’s laws written in the OT. This has been very hard to deal with, and our three kids (all in their 40s) are very disgusted with him. Thank you for listening & praying.
dear frances, yes, it’s been many day-by-day years of being led by the hand – by friends here, small ways by friends in the skin and by Jesus – and I’m grateful to be standing on this side of the rainbow right now… I’m so sorry to hear bout your husband. and to see your children so devastated by what has happened to their father’s faith. It sounds like a time of grieving, confusion over what has been and what is happening. May you find the hands of friends who can pray with you and listen with kindness and encourage you and your children. Dear Jesus, please encourage frances and her children. just one moment at a time, as they feel probably helpless to see their father being misled. But, we know you are our help in times of need. And this beautiful family needs your help. Please intervene and give them the grace to persevere in prayer and also to encoruage and turn to each other – and help Frances when there is strife. Give her time with you to experience your comfort and confide in you. Let her know she is beloved by you. And you will stay with her through it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bonnie, this is the most perfect post for me right now….just this weekend I’ve been blindsided by something and have been trying to problem-solve my way out of it rather than just resting and choosing peace and relaxation….I so needed to hear this today and I hope to carry your wisdom with me throughout this coming week. I always love your blog! Sending you a big virtual hug!
dear barbara, it’s always helpful to know we are not alone and we can encourage each other. may you experience God’s peace with that just one next step that surfaces. continue to give yourself permission momet by moment – time and again to relinquish the burden of trying to solve that which may not be possible to be solved in this moment. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself, to be kind to yourself, so you can have the soul comfort, encoruagement and refilling to face what needs to be faced ahead, dear friend. thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response and great encouragement! I truly appreciate it! 🙂