I am SO excited to announce Book #3 & Book #4 are real, friends!! I finally got God’s green light and electronically signed the book contract last week to write a very special book I’ve wanted to write for ten years, since 2009! I’m thrilled I can write the book God’s put in my heart to encourage you!

It’s going to be my most personal, vulnerable book yet, because I’d been hiding a part of my heart that God now wants me to set free to encourage you — the same way He encouraged me!

My heart wasn’t ready years ago, because I didn’t know my voice was worthy. Who am I to have anything to say?

But God knew what I needed: I needed you, beautiful kindred sisters. I tried to write and sound like everyone else, but you entered my life. You are reader become friend who understands brokenness is beautiful.

You encouraged me when I blogged through panic attacks – when I tried to disappear because I didn’t want you to hear me that I was having panic attack – barely able to breathe, as I unexpectedly hit emotional PTSD from childhood trauma, triggered by writing my 1st book about rest in God’s love {Finding Spiritual Whitespace} as a new mom of two boys.

You gave me courage to tell my stories because you shared your beautiful broken stories with me. So I realized I wasn’t alone and life is more beautiful when we are known in our sorrows and joys.

As I healed, you asked me how to rest in God’s peace in everyday life. So, I wrote {Whispers of Rest} as guidebook to empower you with the soul care practices I used to find my spark, de-stress & refresh my soul, based on science (yep, I’m an engineer) + God’s Word (yep, I’m a Bible study girl).

I’m not overly sentimental when I say this book is only possible because of you! For all the times I was afraid, your support enabled me to be an author:

– You give me the gift of friendship, sharing your heart in comments here
– You give me the honor of encouraging you through my blog newsletter
– You read + recommend my books
– You invite me to speak and lead retreats

For a little girl born in Chinatown to a broken family who only felt safe with her books, pen and journal, I’m grateful to be a friend to you through the printed page.

Can you imagine the tears pouring out when Harvest House Publishers offered me a two-book contract because they believed in the encouragement God will send to women’s hearts through my words? It’s only by God’s grace!

Remember that your story matters. You matter. No matter what anyone says about you or what you’ve gone through – or what you’ve lost, every word that has been written in your life story is valuable, worthy to be remembered and cherished.

Even the broken pieces, because in the broken pieces lay your true self: the part of you that Jesus is loving back into life.

It has taken me over a year and half to work on the book proposal for book #3 – I take a very long, slow and soulful time to really search my heart for the brokenness that God has loved back into life is beautiful, so that you would know that the parts of you hide are worthy loving back into life. And as I listen and talk with Jesus about it all, then I commit my whole mind, soul and body to writing this book for you!

I’ll be sharing more of my story and what has led me to write this book and also why I’ve been very quiet last year as I poured my whole self into book #3 proposal.I’ll share my life lessons with you in the coming weeks on the blog. But, today is for CELEBRATION & THANK YOU!!

? THANK YOU. I am truly grateful for you and absolutely thrilled to write this book for you! Thank you for your loving arms of support through the years!

? My deepest thanks and appreciation to my agent Lisa Jackson at Alive Literary for believing in me and the vision of this book, and to Harvest House and Acquisitions Editor Kathleen Kerr whose passion for books and the Gospel has given this book an amazing home full of talent from which to sing and soar.

With love and sisterly affection, Bonnie ?

3 Soul Care Tips To Help Lower Stress

Before I end today’s letter to you, I want to share a gentle reminders for you to take care of yourself during these Covid-19 times, friend. Soak in my 3 Soul Care tips bel owand forward today’s newsletter to encourage a friend! We all need encouragement to combat stress!

I am definitely amazed at God’s timing for my book contract. Why did God choose to have me write this book during the lockdown here, as I live in the center of the coronavirus hotspot in Silicon Valley?

I have a feeling God is making a way for His message of love as I write this book in dire times, like the apostle Paul write in jail – letters that became powerful words of encouragement! I pray I may be faithful like the earl believers who faced danger on every side, yet kept gathering, breaking bread with hope and faith, sharing what they had with each other!

So remember: you have words to share – we need encouragement more than ever before. Our bread we share are our stories, our words. We share whatever it is God has for me to share with you during these hard times to give us all love and hope!

As people of promise and purpose, we can defuse panic and stress in our lives, as we walk through the realities of coronavirus.

Follow Me On Instagram & Facebook

Friend, are you Following me on Instagram and Facebook Yet? 
I love sharing encouraging quotes & photos to share what refreshes my heart with God’s love with you! So
Click here to follow me on Instagram @thebonniegray right now.
Click here follow me on Facebook @thebonniegray right now!

In case you missed my newsletter last month, I am re-sharing 3 truths and 3 soul care tips below to anchor your soul to God’s peace and simple actions to encourage your heart. Not only do we need our body’s immunity to stay healthy, we need to boost our soul’s immunity against discouragement with God’s peace and promise.

1. I wasn’t anxious until I saw news of empty grocery shelves. How can I deal with my fear?

Although people are panic buying, experts say there is enough food. So, as you see shelves intermittently bare, awaiting shipment to restock, remind yourself that scarcity is no match for God’s promise to sustain you one day at a time.

When Elijah was sent to the widow at Zarapeth with only enough flour and oil for one meal left, God miraculously replenished her supply, one meal at a time. Soak in God’s promise to supply all your needs. Take one day at a time. His mercies are new every morning.

Truth from Scripture to Meditate On:

“This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

Soul Care Tip #1: Pray a Breath Prayer

The minute we stress is a special opportunity to invite Jesus into our day and be refreshed. A powerful, simple way is to pray a breath prayer. Studies show deep breathing really does help trigger your body to relax. This contemplative prayer practiced by the early church will help you experience God’s peace and presence.

Breathe in, inhale with God’s name.  Open your heart to Him —  Jesus.
Breathe out, exhale your request or how you’re feeling. Let God touch you — Help me.

2. I can’t stop worrying. What are easy ways to restore calm and peace?

When I first heard the term “shelter-in-place”, it immediately reminded me that God is our refuge. Give yourself permission to put your worries to the side for the moment and do things that bring you joy, exercise, and rejuvenation.

While following safety guidelines to stay home to help our country and the immunity-vulnerable, don’t forget to go outside and enjoy the fresh air! This will be a welcome break for everyone in the family, for parents and kids underfoot – as well as single working professionals. Studies show people actually work harder and more intensely from home than at the office!

Truth from Scripture to Meditate On:

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” Psalms 46:1-2

Soul Care Tip #2: Take a 10-Minute Walk

Uncertainty triggers feelings of fear and stress. But research shows that just ten minutes of walking in nature refreshes you, boosting your mood and helping with anxiety, depression in schoolwork, work, and everyday life.

So, listen to Jesus. Do not worry about tomorrow. Look at the birds and the flowers – literally! Take a walk outside. You don’t even have to feel like it. Just put on your shoes and go. You will feel better!

Soul Care Tip #3: Listen to Music. Create a Playlist

It’s amazing how our God designed our bodies to heal. Music is used in therapy to help calm, comfort and alleviate pain. Scientists found that simply playing classical music as background ambiance significantly improves your mood by releasing dopamine, lowers blood pressure, and reduces anxiety because tempos resemble a restful human heartbeat. You can take a “worship break” and listen to two songs while you get a drink of water or make a cup of tea. Instant peace.

Friend, which one speaks to your heart? I encourage you to practice these loving actions & feel better! I’d love to hear your experience (just leave comment for me on IG or on Facebook)! In next week’s newsletter, I’ll share the rest of Truths #3-4 and Soul Care tips #4-6!

Who is a friend you can encourage today? Share this post or forward this email to them. Thank you for helping support this ministry by passing this newsletter along!

Follow Me On Instagram & Facebook

Friend, are you Following me on Instagram and Facebook Yet? 
I love sharing encouraging quotes & photos to share what refreshes my heart with God’s love with you! So
Click here to follow me on Instagram @thebonniegray right now.
Click here follow me on Facebook @thebonniegray right now!

love,

Bonnie’s Whispers of Rest Soul Care Package!

I’d love to encourage you daily! For extra resources to refresh your soul and take better care of yourself, I created this powerful DAILY companion resource to Whispers of Rest. I’m so excited to share this beautiful  40day Soul Care Guide eBook called “You’re Worth Loving”, 6 teaching videos, 6 prayer podcasts, Scripture coloring pages – and access to a Self-Paced Online Book Club! Click here to get the Whispers of Rest Soul Care Resources Package!