Bonnie Gray - Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest

2014 by Bonnie Gray

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www . revellbooks .com

Ebook edition created 2014

Ebook corrections 05.29.2019

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-4502-1

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

Scripture quotations labeled GNT are from the Good News TranslationSecond Edition. Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations labeled Message are from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV 1984 are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NLT 1996 are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Emphasis in Scripture quotations has been added by the author.

To protect the privacy of those who are part of the authors story, some details and names have been changed.

The author is represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc.

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 Bonnies 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 youve ever been hurt and needed healing, if youve ever been afraid and needed courage, if youve ever been weary and needed room to breathe, then Bonnie Gray is the guide youve 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

Bonnies story captured me from the first chaptershe 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 Im 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 weve 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

Bonnies 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 youve 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

Bonnies 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 New Life Live , and founder of Women of Faith

I just adore Bonnies 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 youve 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

Bonnies 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 You are Free

To Eric
this book is a testament to what happens when a man loves a woman.

And to Josh and Caleb
because Mommy loves you.