When I first signed up to be part of Bonnie Gray's Finding Spritiual Whitespace Book Review group, I was like certainly I can read a book and review it. I would love to help out a fellow blogger and spread her gift of writing to the world. I never imagined that it would set me on a journey of finding rest and closeness with my Lord and Savior.
"Finding Spiritual Whitespace" is a wonderful reminder of living a restful and quiet life alongside The Lord. Bonnie reminds us what Paul instructed the Thessalonians almost 2000 years ago:
"And in fact, you do love all God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you."
1 Thessalonians 4:10-11 (emphasis mine)
Is my ambition to lead a quiet life? Not yet it certainly isn't, but I'm going to get there! I want to live a life pleasing to The Lord and one area that could use work is spending time with Him.
Throughout the memoir-driven book, Bonnie takes the reader on a journey to reaching a place of rest with God. She even includes prompts to journal or pray through. We take time to rest our bodies at night when we sleep but why don't we take time to rest our souls in the presence of God??? It doesn't have to be a great chunk of time or even a rigid regiment. One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Taking Care of yourself nurtures the voice God placed in you" (97, Gray).
For me the most whitepace and rest I have with The Lord is when I run. For years I never ran with music and slowly God has shown me that we can use that time catching up and strengthening our relationship. Even reading the book, the time during my runs has an even greater impact as I imagine Jesus right there: His strong arms, strengthened from the weight of carrying us, pumping alongside me.
So many times in her life, Bonnie imagined Jesus right there with her, holding her. The imagery and words she uses creates a beautiful image of Our Savior holding one of His hurting children. Then I thought, why not remind myself that He is there with me every second of each day.
The book is chalk full of wonderful nuggets of wisdom and scripture. The weave Bonnie has woven, is a beautiful picture of God's Grace and Love. With the crazy and hectic world we are living in, we need to take the time and rest our souls. This book is the perfect starting place to aid us in the journey.
If you are overwhelmed with your past, present or future, READ THIS BOOK!!! It can help you find a starting point to become more restful, instead of restless! We can all begin to follow the instructions Paul left about leading a quiet life!
So will you take the Whitespace Challenge with me? Find time and perhaps even new and different ways to spend time with The Lord to give your soul the rest it deserves.
Watch the trailer for the book!!
With Love,
A
p.s. Layla and Phineas both liked to accompany me during my readings!
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| Layla, my golden retriever pup |
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| Phineas, my kitty |
Ahhh! For my soul to be at rest, how soothing! I could always feel Jesus right with me when I ran too. Now I try to take special "quiet time" in the mornings. Thank you for your honest review. I look forward to reading it!
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