Ten years ago, I started a blog because a dream died. I was a new mom to baby #2 Caleb & three year old Josh who didn’t nap. I was exhausted and sleep-deprived with no time or energy to barely function. I felt lost & discouraged.
I couldn’t do anything else other than nurse the baby, change diapers, read Thomas the Train a gazillion times, cut up snacks and survive the Bermuda Triangle hours of meltdowns that always happened before Eric came home from work at night.
Not only that, an online baby business I tried to launch to help bring the family income as a stay-at-home mom tanked in the 2008 market crash (yep, I designed designer baby shopping cart covers!). I went from selling 10 shopping cart covers a day to ZERO in one day and towers of boxes stacked to the ceiling filled my living room and bedroom. I lost hard-earned money that made me feel sick with guilt. I felt like a failure.
My pre-mom self and my dreams were in tatters.
But, God takes our broken dreams to make something beautiful.
I was bawling my eyes out one night, when Eric said, “You like to write. Why don’t you start a blog? All those journals in your closet – why don’t you put it online. Maybe you can help someone?” I didn’t think anyone would read it. Little did I know, out of writing blog posts that took days to craft in 20 min spurts (one Blues Clues episode), 25K of you have joined me in this space & subscribed to the blog!
I have wanted to quit SO MANY TIMES. But God’s love intervened – through YOU!!! You kept supporting me, kept telling me through comments that what I was writing was encouraging and lifting you up.
Your comments were my lifeline. I’m not being overly sentimental when I say you are my true sisters-in-Christ, because God knew words are my love language. Your words healed and kept me brave and strong to keep writing!
Your support as readers made me an author. I am so grateful, because of you reading my books and recommending them, I’ve authored two books Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Whispers of Rest, as I healed from panic attacks & anxiety. Now, I’m writing Book #3! Who has readers like that?
And with all the information we’re inundated with nowadays, I’m honored and grateful you choose to be here!
Let’s celebrate God’s faithfulness and His unconditional love to all of us, in brokenness and in beauty. For in God’s heart, we are His beloved!
“His faithful love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34
GIVEAWAY!
YOU ARE LOVED
HEART NECKLACE & PROMISE BOX
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!
Thanks for everyone’s loving words & celebrating! Congrats to winners Jan, Melissa, Susan and Bethany! I’ve contacted the winners via email!
To celebrate, I am giving away to **FOUR WINNERS**:
✨ Dayspring’s You Are Loved 14K-plated Gold Heart Necklace and Promise Box with 26 Verse of the Week cards! This a gift to remind you daily of God’s love for you! ($45.00 value)
This gift reflects my passion in 10 years of blogging and books: to nourish your soul with words as God’s beloved: You are Loved!
Enter to win. Do these three things:
1️⃣ Make sure you are subscribed to my Newsletter. Click here to subscribe now.
2️⃣ Share this post or forward this email to a friend you think would love this necklace or resonate with my encouraging Newsletter.
3️⃣ Click here to leave a comment on the blog letting me know. Each separate comment counts as an additional entry.
For additional entries:
✨Follow me @thebonniegray on Instagram or Facebook. New followers will be given an additional entry automatically. If you’re already a follower on Instagram or Facebook, just type “Instagram or Facebook Follower” in comments.
Giveaway closes Saturday (May 2) midnight. (US Residents only).
I’m running a separate Giveaways on Instagram and Facebook, to giveaway a total of 10 Necklaces to celebrate 10 years of blogging! Be sure to go enter there! As my Beloved Email Sisters, you get the most chances to win! 🙂 This post is not sponsored by Dayspring. This is a gift from me to you!
$1.99 Whispers of Rest ebook SALE
Friends, Whispers of Rest ebook is on sale for just $1.99 on Amazon! 
Perfect gift for Mother’s Day to encourage a mom, friend, sister, daughter, & for *you*! 40 practical soul care tips based on science to lower stress &l 40 powerful promises of God’s love to blossom as God’s beloved!
Get Encouraged & Lower Stress
Join the Whispers of Rest Book Club Starts May 11!
Now more than ever before in tough times, we need to draw closer to God and encourage each other! As a soul care and spiritual life mentor with 20+ years of ministry experience guiding thousands of women in community, I will help you do just that! Sign up for the Book Club here.
82 Comments
Thank you for your healing books ! God has used them to heal my soul.
Bonnie I cannot adequately put into words what a bkessing your blog has been for me Reading during the Coronavirus ordeal which is still continuing on especially your words of wisdom to take time for yourself whispers of space truly A blessing much blessings voiure out on you and your faniky
Thanks, Bonnie! I shared this with my sister, Kelley ?
Bonnie, finding and reading Spiritual White Space was a life line for me. I shared the book with a dear friend who was going through rough waters as well. We both found healing and grew deeper in our faith. I’ve shared this with her, Terri, so that we can go through Whispers of Rest together, too.
Congratulations on 10 wonderful, God-blessed years! I shared this email with my daughter Caroline. I am already a follower on Instagram and Facebook.
Thank you, Bonnie! You are an inspiration to so many woman not to sink but lift your self up. God is using you in a big way!
Bonnie
I want to thank you for your encouragement. I look forward to your emails. I am a year old woman who is learning to adjust to being alone. I substitute taught school, volunteered at the nursing home, and was even getting ready for a variety show I was in with my local school district. One day I was busy and involved..poof next day not.
My husband still works out of the home. Since teaching was done for me until…
I decided to sing daily to my Autistic Grand nephew on Marco Polo and make appointments with other lonely heart friends so we both have something to look forward to.
Thanks again for your encouragement!
I love the title of your new book. But as a working full time 69 year old grandma, will it minister to me? Or is it designed typically for the overwhelmed stay at home mom?
Hi Paula! Yes, my book is for every woman of every stage and season of life who longs for God’s peace and to experience God’s rest and love! You will love Whispers of Rest. The book wasn’t written for a stay-at-home mom. I just happen to be one when I started 10 years ago. 😉
Thank you for your God honoring words that touch the soul! I have shared your words with my sisters who live out of town, and some that I do volunteer visiting (these days by phone) in a retirement community. Some are in assisted living and some in long-term care. What we do for eternal value is what really counts. Your writing stirs our hope in the Lord!
Everything you do you do for the Love of God and others.. thank you!!
beautiful! i shared with my friends Jayne and Alicia
Thank you for sharing your stories, wisdom and love ❤️ shared with my sister Paula.
Oh wow has it been 10 years? I think I have read your blog now for 8 of those years my friend. Gonna share with my friend Martha and on FB
IG and FB follower already
Subscriber already
Thank you for all that you do! I sent this to our prayer group leader, Patricia Wade.
Love your blog. Whispers of Rest has been a blessing to me during this pandemic. and this pandemic has gotten back to what i love to do, write and reviewing old journals.
I bought your book about six months ago. It has been like a dear friend! It speaks to my heart and came just at the right time. I am already a follower on FB and Instagram. I shared this e-mail with my friend Allyson.
I shared with Kelly!
Hi. Bethany! Congratulations, sweet friend! You won the You are Loved giveaway, friend! Thank you for celebrating this special moment with me of God’s amazing love ?thank you for your support of my ministry of words here on the blog and sharing with your friend Lisa and Kelly! ? Email your address using the contact link https://thebonniegray.com/contact/ and I’ll get it the gift to you!
I am a Instagram follower.
I shared with Lisa!
love your blog, and Whispers of Rest is a Blessing during this pandemic. i have plenty of whitespace on my calendar to do what i love. Write and review old journals.
This has been such a blessing for me. Already a follower.
I have never had an author respond to posts I’ve done on Facebook or instagram. My friend bought me your book. I look forward to being a loyal fan. Blessings to you!!!
I’m constantly writing “you are loved” and the book whispers of rest spoke that over me over and over. So grateful for your words!
I forwarded the 10th anniversary email to my friend Kelly Gallagher. I’m an instagram follower and now a Facebook follower. Congratulations on 10 years! That’s so awesome that you didn’t give up and were willing to listen to your husband, switch gears and try something new—and succeed!
Subscriber already
Dear Bonnie..Whispers of Rest is “just right” for me..the balance of personal sharing, scripture foundations and
simple suggestions to change my body and brain chemistry. I had to share this with my friend Jennifer. Congratulations on the major milestone of being Beloved!
Marylee Morgan
Bonnie, so glad to see what you are up to dear sister.
I bought this book about 6 months ago. It was a Godsend. It has spoken to me on a deep level just when I needed it! I already follow your newsletter.
Bonnie, congrats on the 10 year anniversary! That’s fantastic! You are such a blessing! I finally realized I could pass on the blessing to friends by gifting your Whispers of Rest book.
So my cousin, Jen Eidsvoog, and by sis-in-love, Julie Voralik, among others got a copy and your anniversary email! Thank you so much for always pointing me to Jesus. For pointing me to rest in my Savior. Love your heart for Jesus. Thank you for using your God-given gifts! 🙂 I already follow you and subscribe!
Beautiful necklace❤
Dear Bonnie,
Congratulations on 10 years of hope and healing..and sharing your Scripture insights and scientific helps for hearing those Whispers of Rest! I shared this blog with my friend Jennifer. I hope to join your Whispers of Rest Book Club beginning next week, as well!
Already a subscriber. I gladly shared email with my childhood BFF, Faazhya Khan. ❤️
Shared with my dear friend Karen Wilson.
What a beautiful necklace. Will share your blog with my niece Elisabeth.
Thank you Bonnie for being an inspiration! I feel loved and relieved after reading your blogs. I’m going through a difficult time in my marriage, and I so look forward to your words of encouragement and not to give up! Yes we are the Beloved. Thank you!
Instagram and Facebook follower!
I think I’m subscribed to you everywhere. ? I shared this with my daughter, Mikaela. ?
Happy 10 years!!!!!
Hi Melissa! Congratulations, sweet friend! You won the You are Loved giveaway, friend! Thank you for celebrating this special moment with me of God’s amazing love ?thank you for your support of my ministry of words here on the blog and sharing with your friend Mikaela! ? Email your address using the contact link https://thebonniegray.com/contact/ and I’ll get it the gift to you!
I shared it with my sister, Michelle Davidson. Thank you for your encouragement.
Subscriber already
Facebook follower
Instagram follower
I shared with my daughter Karyn.
Follower
Love your Devotions they are very uplifting
I shared with my friend Mary
Such a sweet and thoughtful way to brighten someone’s day! Lovely Bonnie!
Congratulations Bonnie,
Wow a whole decade & ready to bring God’s word for another 10 years & more!
When you have a lot of energy & stamina, you can go far!!
Keep up the good work!
I am looking forward to the Bible study on May 11, 2020.
I’ll leave you with a prayer?
A friend Loves ♥️ ? at All Times! Proverbs 17:17.
Just finished reading Spiritual Whitespace. Thank you for your transparency
Thank you so much for all you do. You have breathed peace and joy into my soul. God bless you!
Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to lift others up! It is truly appreciated.
Thank you! And congratulations on a decade of writing. I did a group book study on Whispers of Rest last summer and it was such a blessing!
I follow you on Instagram
I am going to share this with my book study group.
Loved doing the Whispers of Rest Bible Study!
Thank you for this opportunity. I shared with my friend Lacey
Hi Susan! Congratulations, sweet friend! You won the You are Loved giveaway, friend! Thank you for celebrating this special moment with me of God’s amazing love ?thank you for your support of my ministry of words here on the blog and sharing with your friend Lacey! ? Email your address using the contact link https://thebonniegray.com/contact/ and I’ll get it the gift to you!
Thank you, Bonnie, I shared with my friend Jan.
Bonnie, I’m so grateful for this opportunity and congratulations on your new book! I shared with my cousin, Karen
I st ont think I’ve much chance of winning but thankyou for all the inspiration and I have more time to re read the book again as off work with cancer!! Keep posting too.
Jan #Marjory Morrow my friend.
Im a facebook and Instagram follower
Hi Janice! Congratulations, sweet friend! There are no “changes” – only God’s love and grace! And guess what – you did win the You are Loved giveaway, friend! (I randomly choose a number, so it’s purely God’s doing!) Thank you for celebrating this special moment with me of God’s amazing love ?thank you for your support of my ministry of words here on the blog and sharing with your friend Lacey! ? Email your address using the contact link https://thebonniegray.com/contact/ and I’ll get it the gift to you!
Love all your writing
Congratulations on 10 years. I shared about this with my sweet friend Lynne when she stopped by to drop something off while social distancing.
This book really blessed me. Thanks
Congratulations to 10 yrs! I really enjoyed your Lent yoga chapel series over this time at home.
Thanks!
Hi Bonnie!
I discover your podcast back in February and I feel like I’ve rediscover Jesus. I grow up in a Christian family and go to church every Sunday. But deep down I lost the faith, i saw god as this strict father and I’m always not good enough for him.
After I left my previous church, this pandemic storms in, I started to listen to your podcast, trying to believe him once again.and I did! I know now he cares about my feelings so much! He wants me to be joyful! He wants nothing but me to heal and to cuddle with him.
Thank u Bonnie for being the light and the salt ❤️❤️❤️
P.s my dog is also named Bonnie,What a good name!
Harriet
Congratulations on 10 years. Your writing is so encouraging to me. Thanks for all you do.
Congrats on your perseverance. I have been a subscriber. I have shared with friends. Thank you for your faithfulness in encouraging others through your words and examples of encouragement. May God continue sheltering you so you can continue to be His instrument.
Bonnie, Thank You So Very Much for always Blessing, encouraging, and ministering to my heart {and mind, and soul}! The scriptures you share, your perspective, and your words are Treasures ? Truly So Grateful for you! God BLESS you and yours ~ abundantly!!
Your work is beautiful, and such a blessing! Thank you!
thank you Bonnie ~ your posts and words help to calm me and give me peace. God is using you and working through you to reach His daughters …. thank you. God bless you and keep you safe, healthy and in His care.
I think I’ve follow you just about everywhere! I printed out one of your comments you made to me during a Whispers of Rest book club and it still encourages my writing to this day. Look forward to seeing your activities, publications, and smiles (& sometimes tears) through video for the next 10 years. Congratulations!
Thank you, Bonnie, for your gentle, grounding encouragement to stay close to our Lord’s heart. I’ve started following you on Instagram recently and have enjoyed your mini devotionals outdoors!
Now I’m connected to your blog and have the Audible book. I’ll be getting a hard copy to share!
Blessings!
Bonnie, this is a beautiful giveaway. Thank you for your encouraging thoughts during a time of stress and anxiety. I am pleased to share your post on Facebook.
Dear Bonnie, just wanted to share how I came in contact with your book. Unfortunately, in the Hispanic community, we don’t have so many devotionals that help you with the anxiety, panic attacks, or depression. Since God had been leading me on a beautiful journey of healing the three mention, I was looking for a book that could help me in my everyday walk. Looking and looking I found your book and it has been an amazing journey. I have a group of five young college students that sown in their lives your book, a very dear friend of mine that is suffering anxiety attacks (sown the book) and a married couple that they are battling with slowing down from the noises of the world (sown the book) and it has been amazing what God is doing with them. I invited them to join the book club, (hopefully they could join). For me, Whispers of Rest is a seed that I’m planting in specific people.
I feel that I’m helping your ministry, investing in myself, and helping others to hear God’s voice through a devotional that is “Whispers of Rest.”
With Love, Isamar
Bonnie, the giveaway necklace is beautiful. That’s very sweet of you to offer such a beautiful giveaway. I am new to your website but I wanted to join because I want a closer walk with the Lord and I need all the help I can get to learn how to do this. I am looking forward to receiving emails from you. Thanks for wanting to help others to draw closer to the Lord. I am going to share this with my friend Mary. I think she would like to be a part of this group also.
Hi Bonnie! Thank you for revealing your heart and being obedient to God’s call in your life. You are an encourager and it blesses so many, including myself! I follow you on Facebook and Instagram. You have been a bright spot in this whole difficult pandemic experience. May you and your family be blessed! P.S. The necklace giveaway is so cool! Thank you!
Loved your book during this season of the Coronavirus it has really blessed me. Thank You