JDCMustReadBooks

Awakening Your Soul to Rest

By Bonnie Gray 

ISBN:  9780800721794

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 6/3/2014 

Format:  Other

Page: 272

My Rating:  5 Stars

FINDING SPIRITUAL WHITESPACE by Bonnie Gray is a “Must Read” for women (and men), of all ages! 

An inspiring book, one you will want to refer to frequently, as you begin your journey—to finding your soul’s much needed, spiritual whitespace—a place to rest in order to find balance and beauty. Move beyond surviving. Make room for you. For God. For rest.

First, prior to relaying my thoughts about this beautifully written book, would encourage readers to visit the author’s website and blog: Faith Barista, serving up shots of faith for the daily grind. I loved everything about this informative, well laid out, and stunning website! .

You will learn more about Bonnie Gray, the author—her story, about the book, an interactive community link up, how to create your whitespace—enjoy, write, and share; goodies and tools, stories from other readers, challenges, and one of my favorites—the moving video, which automatically reduces your stress, upon viewing—inviting you to step into this peaceful and tranquil world of whitespace. Take me there now!

Intrigued, was anxious to learn more, by reading this thought-provoking book. An invaluable tool for us as women, as we try and balance our busy work and personal lives.

A beautiful written story of discovery (a journey to create space in our hearts and for God, so we can live a better story today). Some of our stories are happy and some not. God uses broken pieces to make something beautiful. A space on a page left untouched. Our souls need whitespace and rest.

Intimacy with God, in the secret place where you can dream dreams and be yourself. God is an artist and we are his works of art. Every woman’s story – to slow down, to feed your soul, to feel more deeply connected to your own heart and others—as we take the journey to uncover the stories deep within our souls. 

God uses spiritual whitespace the same way an artist uses whitespace in imbue artwork with an incredible aesthetic quality-whether it be painting, the still of a photography, or a well architected home. God uses white space in our lives to reawaken our souls with rest.

With raw honesty and emotion, Bonnie guides readers to discover a better life for yourself. One that feeds your soul and makes room for rest. Infused with biblical encouragement and thought-provoking tidbits, she demonstrates how to create space in your everyday for God right in the midst of our stressful lives.

When we step into whitespace, we are no longer holding on to our old ways of coping, managing, and doing. We are only holding on to Jesus. As we suffer from perfectionism, guilt, anxiety, insomnia, fearful of being judged, and trapped. Jesus meets us in those desolate places.

This was my favorite part---Desolation is where Jesus went to meet with God. It’s where Jesus chose to retreat. It’s the last place we’d think someone so connected to God the Father would go. Yet Jesus sought out desolate places. When crowds pressed in around him for healing, Jesus was in touch with his needy soul, he withdrew.

Desolation is where Jesus went to meet with God. It’s where Jesus chose to retreat. It isn’t where we’d expect— Where is your basement? Get curious about yourself. If you were to stop fighting to stay strong—to stop rowing upstream and allow God to take your heart downstream where would it lead?

How many of us find ourselves running on empty with no time for rest, no time for ourselves, no time for God?

Gray offers intriguing insights into scripture and God views his flawed but beloved creations. At each chapter’s end, journaling prompts help readers identify areas where they need to create whitespace. 

This book is much more than a memoir—an invitation to walk the difficult road to self-discovery and healing with a fellow traveler who understands. Learning how to identify stressors, and eliminate emotional clutter will benefit anyone, not just those suffering from PTSD.

“In graphic design, the more cluttered a layout is, the more text and images crowd the print. The purpose is no longer beauty. It is commercialization. Whitespace is the choice to convey quality and artistic value. We are fine art in God’s eyes."

Each section in this book leaves you with the following: 

Pull up a Chair – Share

A Whitespace Prompt – Try This

A Soul Conversation – Confide in Him

Find your basement – The real you. 

“Our scars make us know that our past was for real.” Jane Austen

Healing is the journey through places of misery. I found myself bookmarking almost every page, as packed with inspiring quotes and references for self-discovery, as the author openly shares her struggles and joy to finding her whitespace. 

FINDING YOUR WHITESPACE is a gem, and one you will treasure and share with friends and loved ones. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your journey, your courage, and talent to help others discover their much deserved whitespace!  Looking forward to connecting on your blog.

A special thank you to Revell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.