Finding Spiritual Whitespace
Awakening Your Soul to Rest
About
Move beyond Surviving to a Rejuvenating Place of Soul Rest
How many of us find ourselves running on empty with no time for rest, no time for ourselves, no time for God?
Bonnie Gray knows what that's like. On the brink of fulfilling a lifelong dream, she saw her plans shatter into a journey through painful memories and anxiety. In her search for answers, she made an important discovery: we all need spiritual whitespace.
Whitespace. It's the space on a page left unmarked. Untouched. Whitespace makes art beautiful. It gives the eye a place to rest. Just like beautiful art, our souls need balance and beauty.
With heartbreaking honesty, Bonnie guides you to discover a better story for yourself, one that feeds your soul and makes room for rest. Infused with biblical encouragement and thought-provoking prompts, this book shows us how to create space in the everyday for God, refreshment, and faith--right in the midst of our stress-frayed lives.
"Whitespace is soul grace. Bonnie Gray ushers weary women into the real possibility."--Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts
"Women need this message. If you want to hear Jesus speak more tenderly to your soul than ever before, this is the book for you."--Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author of Unglued
"We live in a culture that brags and boasts about being busy. Into that reality steps Bonnie with a new idea."--from the foreword by Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Start
Bonnie Gray is the soulful writer behind faithbarista.com, serving up shots of faith for the daily grind. Her work is featured on DaySpring (in)courage and nationally syndicated on Crosswalk.com. After graduating from UCLA, Bonnie served as a missionary, ministry entrepreneur, and Silicon Valley high-tech professional. She lives in Northern California with her husband, Eric, and their two sons.
REVIEWS & AWARDS
Named by Crosswalk as one of the Best Books for Christian Women in 2014
"This is a soul-stirring book that takes you on a journey to make space in life to nurture your heart with God and dream dreams in new ways. This book will give women permission to say yes to God, practical ways to say yes to rest and find the spark in their hearts again."--Kelly Givens, editor of iBelieve
"Gray, a popular blogger at Faith Barista, set out to fulfill her lifelong dream of writing a book. When she began, however, repressed memories resurfaced and the book turned into a reluctant account of her journey through unrecognized post-traumatic stress. The author relates the heartbreaking childhood experiences that led to severe panic attacks, insomnia, and fear. Helping her through her confrontation with her own past are a supportive husband, a good therapist, and whitespace--places in her life like the blank areas of an artist's canvas--where she can rest and tend her soul. She offers intriguing insights into Scripture and on how God views his flawed but beloved creations. At each chapter's end, journaling prompts help readers identify areas where they need to create white space. More than just a memoir, this is 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."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
Endorsements
"We live in a culture that brags and boasts about being busy. Into that reality steps Bonnie with a new idea.
Whitespace is an important concept and Bonnie has captured it perfectly. If you're exhausted with being exhausted, read this book. If you feel too busy to read this book, then that's probably the best sign of all that you need it."from the foreword by Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Stuff Christians Like
"Whitespace is soul grace. Bonnie Gray ushers weary women into the real possibility."
Ann Voskamp, author of the New York Times bestseller One Thousand Gifts
"Women need this message. If you want to hear Jesus speak more tenderly to your soul than ever before, this is the book for you. I love Bonnie's honest and unassuming voice. I will be recommending this message to many friends."
Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
"If you've ever been hurt and needed healing, if you've ever been afraid and needed courage, if you've ever been weary and needed room to breathe, then Bonnie Gray is the guide you've been looking for as you journey with Jesus to a new place of peace and freedom in your life."
Holley Gerth, bestselling author of You're Already Amazing
"Bonnie's story captured me from the first chapter--she is an immensely powerful writer with a gift for taking her reader on a journey of experience. I felt like she was giving me permission to seek real, honest answers about my own walk through depression. Her story about loss, life, and love is worth its telling, and I'm glad Bonnie has told it."
Tsh Oxenreider, author of Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World
"So many days end with the word 'exhausted'! And somehow we've accepted 'busy' must be as good as it gets. Yet our souls are weary. Our minds are worn. Our hearts long for rest. With soul-stirring insights, thought-provoking questions, and biblical encouragement, Bonnie Gray helps us see our deep need for spiritual whitespace and offers practical ways to find it in the midst of our everyday lives. Finding Spiritual Whitespace creates a place for my heart to breathe, and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time!"
Renee Swope, bestselling author of A Confident Heart and Proverbs 31 Ministries radio co-host of Everyday Life with Lysa & Renee
"Bonnie's courage, heart, and determination to share her struggle are inspiring to me. To look back, gather pieces of what seemed unredeemable, and truly surrender them to the Lord is one of the hardest and most God-honoring things we can do in this life, and she does it beautifully. I would encourage you to read her words and allow them to sink into the places you've considered hopeless in your own life. By the grace of God, I hope you are able to emerge with the same tenacity, hope, and perspective as Bonnie has."
Angie Smith, bestselling author of Chasing God and What Women Fear
"Bonnie's story is a moving example of what God can do with our toughest struggles if we give him access to our hearts and minds. It also provides insightful exercises that will help you with whatever you are struggling with."
Stephen Arterburn, bestselling author, host of Newlife Live, and founder of Women of Faith
"I just adore Bonnie's heart and her vulnerability as she allows us into her pain-filled, hope-filled story. Her willingness to open wide in order to help and encourage her sisters to find rest and spiritual 'whitespace' is brave and beautiful. If you've been looking for rest and you could use some practical ideas for finding spiritual whitespace, this book is for you."
Sarah Mae, author of Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe
"Bonnie's journey toward surrender led her heart from brokenness to beauty. Her words are bold, passionate, and life-giving on every page. May we all embrace the kind of rest that heals and restores."
Rebekah Lyons, author of Freefall to Fly
The Author
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Bonnie Gray
Bonnie Gray is the founder of Faith Barista, a contributor to Crosswalk.com, and a featured writer for DaySpring's popular (in)courage blog. Her writing is nationally syndicated and has been spotlighted in Christianity Today and McClatchy-Tribune...
Continue reading about Bonnie Gray
Reviews
"Gray, a popular blogger at Faith Barista, set out to fulfill her lifelong dream of writing a book. When she began, however, repressed memories resurfaced and the book turned into a reluctant account of her journey through unrecognized post-traumatic stress. The author relates the heartbreaking childhood experiences that led to severe panic attacks, insomnia, and fear. Helping her through her confrontation with her own past are a supportive husband, a good therapist, and whitespace--places in her life like the blank areas of an artist's canvas--where she can rest and tend her soul. She offers intriguing insights into Scripture and on how God views his flawed but beloved creations. At each chapter's end, journaling prompts help readers identify areas where they need to create white space. More than just a memoir, this is 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."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This is a soul-stirring book that takes you on a journey to make space in life to nurture your heart with God and dream dreams in new ways. This book will give women permission to say yes to God, practical ways to say yes to rest and find the spark in their hearts again."
Kelly Givens, editor of iBelieve