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Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest
Running on empty with no time for rest, yourself, or God? Soulful author Bonnie Gray shows how to create spiritual whitespace in the everyday for God, refreshment, and faith—right in the midst of our stress-frayed lives. She guides you to discover a better story for yourself, one that feeds your soul and makes room for rest.
270 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
About the author
Bonnie Gray
4 books149 followersBonnie Gray is the soulful author of her new book
Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm
,
Sweet Like Jasmine
, which was named 2022 Christian Book Award Finalist by the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association, the 40-day book
Whispers of Rest
and the memoir-driven book
Finding Spiritual Whitespace
, garnering starred review praise from Publisher's Weekly.
Take Bonnie's FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com to learn what area of wellness are you missing the most, so you can flourish in wellness!
Bonnie hosts the Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, focused on helping women detox stress with rest and soul care based on scripture & science.
An inspirational speaker and retreat leader, she has touched thousands of lives through storytelling, visual arts, nature, prayer and meditation. Bonnie’s writing is featured on Relevant Magazine, DaySpring (in)courage, and Christianity Today. She lives in California with her husband and their two sons.
Visit Bonnie at thebonniegray.com and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube at @thebonniegray.
Bonnie's writing explores the stories we often hide but live courageously, emerging from the belief that the beauty of faith often takes place when life goes off script. Because faith is as mysterious as it is real, we need each other for life's journey.
After graduating from UCLA, Bonnie traveled overseas as a missionary, a ministry entrepreneur, and spent over a decade drinking coffee as a Silicon Valley high-tech professional. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.
Take Bonnie's FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com to learn what area of wellness are you missing the most, so you can flourish in wellness!
Bonnie hosts the Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, focused on helping women detox stress with rest and soul care based on scripture & science.
An inspirational speaker and retreat leader, she has touched thousands of lives through storytelling, visual arts, nature, prayer and meditation. Bonnie’s writing is featured on Relevant Magazine, DaySpring (in)courage, and Christianity Today. She lives in California with her husband and their two sons.
Visit Bonnie at thebonniegray.com and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube at @thebonniegray.
Bonnie's writing explores the stories we often hide but live courageously, emerging from the belief that the beauty of faith often takes place when life goes off script. Because faith is as mysterious as it is real, we need each other for life's journey.
After graduating from UCLA, Bonnie traveled overseas as a missionary, a ministry entrepreneur, and spent over a decade drinking coffee as a Silicon Valley high-tech professional. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
August 9, 2014
I seem to be in the minority, but something about this book fell flat for me. I think it's because the book lacked clear focus, in my opinion.
Bonnie Gray began writing with plans to create a book about rest and whitespace. But she was interrupted by traumatic memories from her childhood that chose this time to resurface. As she dealt with the memories and struggled to move beyond her PTSD and panic attacks, Gray realized she had to start over on this book, incorporating what she was learning from her trauma into her words.
The problem is, it feels like she tried to write two separate books and smoosh them into one. The theme of dealing with her childhood memories are connected to the overarching idea of spiritual whitespace by only the thinnest of threads. Since I personally haven't experienced anything like she did in childhood, this made it difficult to connect with her ideas about whitespace.
Not only did the main message of the book become convoluted, but Gray fell short on describing her childhood. As a reader, I found myself intrigued by her backstory. I would gladly have read a memoir that focus on her childhood, and a separate Christian inspiration book that focused on whitespace. As it stands, I felt like she was pulled in two different directions while writing this book. The result was a book with two muddled themes, neither of which was done justice.
Bonnie Gray began writing with plans to create a book about rest and whitespace. But she was interrupted by traumatic memories from her childhood that chose this time to resurface. As she dealt with the memories and struggled to move beyond her PTSD and panic attacks, Gray realized she had to start over on this book, incorporating what she was learning from her trauma into her words.
The problem is, it feels like she tried to write two separate books and smoosh them into one. The theme of dealing with her childhood memories are connected to the overarching idea of spiritual whitespace by only the thinnest of threads. Since I personally haven't experienced anything like she did in childhood, this made it difficult to connect with her ideas about whitespace.
Not only did the main message of the book become convoluted, but Gray fell short on describing her childhood. As a reader, I found myself intrigued by her backstory. I would gladly have read a memoir that focus on her childhood, and a separate Christian inspiration book that focused on whitespace. As it stands, I felt like she was pulled in two different directions while writing this book. The result was a book with two muddled themes, neither of which was done justice.
November 26, 2014
I think this book is unusual, but not for the reasons the foreword says it is.
Many self-help style books are authored by people who seem to write from a lofty position as if they have all the answers. Perhaps publishers and marketers think their authors won't have enough credibility if they don't come across as 'super pastor' or 'super psychologist' who aim to tell us how to be as strong and together as they are. I've been getting a bit tired of the mold, but Bonnie Gray is different. She has been in a really dark head space and isn't too reticent to share about it. She starts from the devastating events of her childhood, when her parents used her as a tool to vent their bitterness at each other, and goes on to explain how hard it's been for her to hold herself together as a wife and mother of small boys. She lets readers glimpse everything from her fits of tears to her hopelessly messy house. It's all very well for some 'expert' to tell us what to do, but sometimes what we need more is an understanding friend who may say, "I've been there too. I was a mess and still am sometimes. I'm familiar with panic attacks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." It's refreshing to see Bonnie Gray write with a tone that doesn't try to set herself up as different or better than the rest of us, as she has experienced her share of terror and shame.
I didn't find Bonnie's ideas of moving forward particularly unusual. I'm sure you've often heard many of them before. Clear out your clutter, pamper yourself, eat tasty food and chew slowly, phone a friend with a sympathetic ear. But to be fair on her, maybe the ideas don't come across as original because they are tried and tested, and proven to work.
I'm sure it will be valuable for some readers to understand, through Bonnie's experiences, how the terrifying features of PTSD may strike a person out of the blue, years after the events which set the ball rolling. It may be just what some people need to see that our dreams and foibles, rather than being shameful idols or self-indulgences, are features of the way God made us. I think people who need to learn to treasure themselves more may get a lot of good from this book, but on the other hand, some readers may let Bonnie Gray's long, sad flashbacks into her own childhood stir up their own melancholy natures and do the opposite of what they expect. I think it's a good idea to mention this, so potential readers may be forewarned.
Thanks to Net Galley and Revell for my review copy.
Many self-help style books are authored by people who seem to write from a lofty position as if they have all the answers. Perhaps publishers and marketers think their authors won't have enough credibility if they don't come across as 'super pastor' or 'super psychologist' who aim to tell us how to be as strong and together as they are. I've been getting a bit tired of the mold, but Bonnie Gray is different. She has been in a really dark head space and isn't too reticent to share about it. She starts from the devastating events of her childhood, when her parents used her as a tool to vent their bitterness at each other, and goes on to explain how hard it's been for her to hold herself together as a wife and mother of small boys. She lets readers glimpse everything from her fits of tears to her hopelessly messy house. It's all very well for some 'expert' to tell us what to do, but sometimes what we need more is an understanding friend who may say, "I've been there too. I was a mess and still am sometimes. I'm familiar with panic attacks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." It's refreshing to see Bonnie Gray write with a tone that doesn't try to set herself up as different or better than the rest of us, as she has experienced her share of terror and shame.
I didn't find Bonnie's ideas of moving forward particularly unusual. I'm sure you've often heard many of them before. Clear out your clutter, pamper yourself, eat tasty food and chew slowly, phone a friend with a sympathetic ear. But to be fair on her, maybe the ideas don't come across as original because they are tried and tested, and proven to work.
I'm sure it will be valuable for some readers to understand, through Bonnie's experiences, how the terrifying features of PTSD may strike a person out of the blue, years after the events which set the ball rolling. It may be just what some people need to see that our dreams and foibles, rather than being shameful idols or self-indulgences, are features of the way God made us. I think people who need to learn to treasure themselves more may get a lot of good from this book, but on the other hand, some readers may let Bonnie Gray's long, sad flashbacks into her own childhood stir up their own melancholy natures and do the opposite of what they expect. I think it's a good idea to mention this, so potential readers may be forewarned.
Thanks to Net Galley and Revell for my review copy.
May 1, 2017
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 beautifully 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 is 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 every day 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 to 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.
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!
This memoir-driven book chronicles Bonnie’s journey through childhood trauma and anxiety and is the founder of the popular blog Faith Barista serving up shots of faith for the daily grind! Looking forward to seeing you there. Well done!
A special thank you to Revell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMust ReadBooks
Currently reading Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God's Love to Revitalize Your Soul coming May 23, 2017.
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 beautifully 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 is 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 every day 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 to 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!
This memoir-driven book chronicles Bonnie’s journey through childhood trauma and anxiety and is the founder of the popular blog Faith Barista serving up shots of faith for the daily grind! Looking forward to seeing you there. Well done!
A special thank you to Revell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMust ReadBooks
Currently reading Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God's Love to Revitalize Your Soul coming May 23, 2017.
November 28, 2015
This book is more like an intimate journey with a close friend than any other book I've ever read. It's taken me ten months to finish it, and I've been so blessed and changed by the experience. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your life and story.
May 15, 2014
About the Book:
Move beyond Coping and Surviving to a Rejuvenating Place of Soul Rest
How many of us find ourselves exhausted, running on empty with no time for rest, no time for ourselves, no time for God? Bonnie Gray knows exactly what that's like. On the brink of fulfilling a lifelong dream, Bonnie's plans suddenly went off script. Her life shattered into a debilitating journey through anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. But as she struggled to make sense of it all, she made an important discovery: we all need "spiritual whitespace."
About the Author:
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.
My Review:
To start this book off on the right note, you have to first come into the realization what "spiritual whitespace" is. Spiritual Whitespace makes room in our hearts for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, room in our lives for rest, room in our souls for rejuvenation. To me spiritual whitespace would be comparable to just "being", being in the moment of peace, quiet, and reflection. We need times like these to help us face our problems and daily tasks with a renewed sense of well being.
The author upon writing this book, wasn't completely aware of the need she would have for this very idea in her own life. And all too suddenly she was to embark on a journey that was somewhat life altering to the point of literal trauma that she had refused to face. So this book is a very real story of restoration for the author and for us. She also has provided two different types of prompts to get you actively involved in the process of living and letting go.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Revell.
Move beyond Coping and Surviving to a Rejuvenating Place of Soul Rest
How many of us find ourselves exhausted, running on empty with no time for rest, no time for ourselves, no time for God? Bonnie Gray knows exactly what that's like. On the brink of fulfilling a lifelong dream, Bonnie's plans suddenly went off script. Her life shattered into a debilitating journey through anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. But as she struggled to make sense of it all, she made an important discovery: we all need "spiritual whitespace."
About the Author:
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.
My Review:
To start this book off on the right note, you have to first come into the realization what "spiritual whitespace" is. Spiritual Whitespace makes room in our hearts for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, room in our lives for rest, room in our souls for rejuvenation. To me spiritual whitespace would be comparable to just "being", being in the moment of peace, quiet, and reflection. We need times like these to help us face our problems and daily tasks with a renewed sense of well being.
The author upon writing this book, wasn't completely aware of the need she would have for this very idea in her own life. And all too suddenly she was to embark on a journey that was somewhat life altering to the point of literal trauma that she had refused to face. So this book is a very real story of restoration for the author and for us. She also has provided two different types of prompts to get you actively involved in the process of living and letting go.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Revell.
August 31, 2018
This book would be more properly titled “How to overcome a troubled past” Most of this book was the author’s story of her terrible childhood and the many severe struggles she faced with dysfunctional parents. I’m not downplaying her past as she has had to endure many painful things. But to sum this book up in a few words- make time for the slow, quiet, beautiful things you enjoy to refuel your soul. There were some good thoughts here and there. I just expected something deeper over all.
July 4, 2014
I received this 2 days ago and have already read through it. I am going to go back through it and work through some of the suggestions per chapter. I happened upon Bonnie Gray's blog about the time she started writing again and wow...what an incredible story she has. It offers such hope and joy! It's not about doing more to find rest...finally a book that encourages resting to get rest!!
April 16, 2018
I listened to the audiobook, which was well narrated. My one regret is that I don’t have all of the questions that she asked in each chapter. I may end up with a paper copy so I can get those. This is a raw, real look at life and what white space means.
April 19, 2022
I picked up this book from the library thinking it was a book on finding rest and more time for God. What I found was a heartwrenching story where the author shares her childhood story of divorce, rejection, and abandonment ... leading to her adult life dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks. As a grown "child of divorce," this was a very difficult book to get through. Sometimes I could only read one chapter at a time. The author shares how processing her journey, she discovered that we all need spiritual whitespace. Whitespace = the space on a page left unmarked, untouched. It gives the eye a place to rest. Through her story, she guides you to create space in your everyday life for God with Biblical encouragement to make room for spiritual rest.
August 17, 2020
I didn't expect this book to upend me the way it did.
She walked us through her own story and led us into our stories also. I loved this format.
I wasn't sure that I had much to work through, but I trusted the process and followed her instructions. I'm so glad I did, because, in taking my time to journal through this book I felt like I had unlocked some serious old issues that were somehow affecting me every day. Bonnie's book led me into my own past, my own perceptions, and into beautiful times of prayer and journaling.
I'm so thankful for this book!
She walked us through her own story and led us into our stories also. I loved this format.
I wasn't sure that I had much to work through, but I trusted the process and followed her instructions. I'm so glad I did, because, in taking my time to journal through this book I felt like I had unlocked some serious old issues that were somehow affecting me every day. Bonnie's book led me into my own past, my own perceptions, and into beautiful times of prayer and journaling.
I'm so thankful for this book!
May 8, 2018
¤ some helpful insights; but often too definitely linked with Christian"" assurances; as a Christian I appreciate the open, fluid approach to life issues I found in a Buddhist culture. allowing space for different experiences, especially when Jesus doesn't speak clearly to me as others claim.
May 4, 2019
This reads like a memoir, but offers a hand into rest. So good. So so good.
June 27, 2014
Christian publishers appear to be putting out a lot of books about how to rest or relax. It makes me wonder if the busy doing of Christian life is finally wearing down the church. Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest by Bonnie Gray is a different sort of book.
It’s written blog-style. Like I said in my original assessment, blog-style won’t make the grammar patrol happy, but those who can set aside their stringent rules will find enjoyment and rest in this book. What makes this book different than most other how-to books is that it doesn’t seek to tell us how to resolve our inner issues. Finding Spiritual Whitespace doesn’t even end with Bonnie having no more PTSD. It’s a journey that’s still ongoing, teaching us how to slow down using artistic methods and comparing spiritual rest with artistic whitespace.
I found only one mistake in the book in the way a sentence was structured, but it’s hardly worth mentioning (since I am unable to locate it again). The book caused a lot of good discussion within the book launch team, drawing the group closer to each other. This means you could use this book in your own groups, like a women’s Bible study, for it has questions at the end of each chapter, created similar to her Thursday #faithjam posts at faithbarista.com. But what does it have to do with Life Upside Down?
Here at Life Upside Down, it’s the perfect latte to go with your biscotti. Meaning, people like us who see life differently because of the pain of our past will find rest in Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest. Those suffering daddy issues will face their past and the lost little girl weeping in the corner. A woman will be able to say after reading this, “Yes! Yes! Finally, someone DOES understand!” I gave Finding Spiritual Whitespace five stars. Book given by publisher to review.
It’s written blog-style. Like I said in my original assessment, blog-style won’t make the grammar patrol happy, but those who can set aside their stringent rules will find enjoyment and rest in this book. What makes this book different than most other how-to books is that it doesn’t seek to tell us how to resolve our inner issues. Finding Spiritual Whitespace doesn’t even end with Bonnie having no more PTSD. It’s a journey that’s still ongoing, teaching us how to slow down using artistic methods and comparing spiritual rest with artistic whitespace.
I found only one mistake in the book in the way a sentence was structured, but it’s hardly worth mentioning (since I am unable to locate it again). The book caused a lot of good discussion within the book launch team, drawing the group closer to each other. This means you could use this book in your own groups, like a women’s Bible study, for it has questions at the end of each chapter, created similar to her Thursday #faithjam posts at faithbarista.com. But what does it have to do with Life Upside Down?
Here at Life Upside Down, it’s the perfect latte to go with your biscotti. Meaning, people like us who see life differently because of the pain of our past will find rest in Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest. Those suffering daddy issues will face their past and the lost little girl weeping in the corner. A woman will be able to say after reading this, “Yes! Yes! Finally, someone DOES understand!” I gave Finding Spiritual Whitespace five stars. Book given by publisher to review.
June 19, 2015
While Bonnie's Gray writing style took me awhile to get used to, I think her book is timely. There are many Christians burnt-out by the rigid systems and thought patterns we've adopted in modern Christianity. For those who may have trauma and abuse in our past, it's time to let the light and grace of Christ walk us through all the unhealthy and untrue thoughts we've accepted as true about ourselves, others, and God. Bonnie walks readers through her own story, but also offers the tender, gentle, patient, and guiding truths that God the Father wants to communicate to us through Jesus Christ. The rest that was purchased for us through Christ brings freedom and Bonnie shares how this sweet truth unfolds in relationship with Him. The last part of her book covers the practical application of creating a safe and nurturing "whitespace" for ourselves through creativity, adventure, community, and soul-care. She gives specific examples and challenges to her readers so that they can begin learning to breathe, rest, and live in freedom and healing. She states, "When we put rules on how God can connect with us, we stop feeding our souls." She doesn't put God or our relationship with Him in a shiny, perfect, rigid box. Our journey with Him is one of growth and, just like with any child, a one-size-fits-all strategy doesn't work. Many props to Bonnie for being brave, vulnerable, and challenging others to seek their healing and growth with the Lord outside of the legalistic cookie-cutter system.
April 14, 2021
There are times when you sit down to read a book and it completely grips you. Bonnie's book did that for me. Her story of childhood trauma stirs the emotions. Her battle with panic attacks demonstrates her bravery. Bonnie doesn't leave the story there. She goes on to talk of her journey to find rest or "spiritual whitespace". How can we make time to rest? To take care of ourselves? To spend time with God so that He can renew us? Through spiritual whitespace. By leaving some of our time blank for God to fill.
Not only is her story gripping, her book is practical. She lays out how to rest. The book contains journaling prompts and suggestions for activities to find whitespace in your life. There is quite a creative collection of ideas. I found the prompts to be healing when I sat down to write. I haven't done all of them, but the one that I did do were eye-opening. The suggested activities range from enjoying the outdoors to creating a memory journal to spending time with an old friend.
I read a ton of books each year. You could say I devour them, but Bonnie's book now holds a special place on my shelf. It helped me to go through some healing and learn how to take time to rest. I would have to say that so far this year it has been the top read for me. If you are struggling with healing or finding peace or experiencing stress, Bonnie's book is not to be missed!!
Not only is her story gripping, her book is practical. She lays out how to rest. The book contains journaling prompts and suggestions for activities to find whitespace in your life. There is quite a creative collection of ideas. I found the prompts to be healing when I sat down to write. I haven't done all of them, but the one that I did do were eye-opening. The suggested activities range from enjoying the outdoors to creating a memory journal to spending time with an old friend.
I read a ton of books each year. You could say I devour them, but Bonnie's book now holds a special place on my shelf. It helped me to go through some healing and learn how to take time to rest. I would have to say that so far this year it has been the top read for me. If you are struggling with healing or finding peace or experiencing stress, Bonnie's book is not to be missed!!
May 31, 2014
I couldn’t put this book down.
Bonnie drew me in with her compelling and transparent stories of the heartaches she suffered as a child, but as she related those stories, she also found ways to show how the heart issues behind her struggles were universal. With the kindness of a dear friend, she challenged my notions of what it means to truly rest in Jesus. She offers the gentle encouragement that rather than it being lazy or selfish to take time to rest your soul in Christ, it communicates value to all the other things you spend your time on – the way whitespace in and around a priceless painting denotes its importance. It’s only in rest, Bonnie argues, that the other parts of our lives can really achieve the full beauty God intends them to have.
This book is full of practical advice that I will be returning to again and again for my own sake. But this book was also helpful to me as a pastor’s wife – Bonnie’s openness and honesty about her anxiety and its roots helped me better understand the people in our church who are facing similar battles. Without any personal context of my own to relate to those types of situations, I feel like this book has better equipped me to serve those around me who are desperate for peace and healing.
For anyone who has ever had a weary soul, this book is a must-read.
Bonnie drew me in with her compelling and transparent stories of the heartaches she suffered as a child, but as she related those stories, she also found ways to show how the heart issues behind her struggles were universal. With the kindness of a dear friend, she challenged my notions of what it means to truly rest in Jesus. She offers the gentle encouragement that rather than it being lazy or selfish to take time to rest your soul in Christ, it communicates value to all the other things you spend your time on – the way whitespace in and around a priceless painting denotes its importance. It’s only in rest, Bonnie argues, that the other parts of our lives can really achieve the full beauty God intends them to have.
This book is full of practical advice that I will be returning to again and again for my own sake. But this book was also helpful to me as a pastor’s wife – Bonnie’s openness and honesty about her anxiety and its roots helped me better understand the people in our church who are facing similar battles. Without any personal context of my own to relate to those types of situations, I feel like this book has better equipped me to serve those around me who are desperate for peace and healing.
For anyone who has ever had a weary soul, this book is a must-read.
January 26, 2015
This book was recommended on several blogs I follow and I thought, "Who couldn't use a book about rest?" However, I was so emotionally-drained about the author's struggle with PTSD and the resurfacing of her painful childhood memories that I quit reading about 1/3 of the way in. She had some great points about finding rest in Christ, but the book was so bogged down by the PTSD parts that I couldn't keep reading it. Her story is an important one and in no way do I mean to discount it, but every time I would put the book down, I could only think about her painful memories instead of what she had learned about rest.
May 22, 2017
Bonnie is doing this scared-brave. Sharing her ugly, mess, and chaos in hopes of helping others. Bonnie’s words serve as our “guidebook” through our hard places. Words full of grace that offer to sit with us as we take the time we need to process. I love what she encouraged her book club to do in taking only “2 chapters a week to savor and listen to their hearts as they read…to journal the questions”.
December 11, 2018
Transparent and vulnerable, Bonnie shares her holy journey of healing from childhood ptsd
May 6, 2015
I did not enjoy this book. It really wasn't even close to what I was expecting to find. There were no practical tips or ideas for finding rest.
August 12, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I did not do everything she talks about but I found most of it helpful. This book truly changed me and helped me walk through some tough things in my past.
September 14, 2019
I’ve been looking forward to reading Finding Spiritual Whitespace for five years now. Somehow, it got buried under all my other review books and never was read, until I found it recently and read it the first chance I got. After hearing good things about this book, I was glad to finally see what people are talking about—and what an interesting book!
Sharing parts of her life story, Bonnie dives into the rejection she felt as a child and the chaos in her life as a result of her parent’s divorce when she was quite young. She had a lot of struggles to go through as an adult, then, as she was trying to work toward forgiveness. Along with her story, Bonnie gives practical thoughts about following the Lord. She also gives prompts for ways to help to unpack and heal from your own past, as well as prompts for things to talk to the Lord about.
I really appreciated the focus on Jesus and His healing work in our lives in this book. I didn’t take time to do the prompts at the end of each chapter but feel like I would have had a much richer reading experience if I had. There’s a lot of good thoughts here, not only talking about working through the past but also learning to trust Jesus for our present as well. And, of course, one of the main encouragements in this book is taking time for whitespace—times to rest and recharge with Jesus. There’s a lot packed into this book, and if you need encouragement in your life, I’d recommend you read it. I really appreciated it.
I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
Sharing parts of her life story, Bonnie dives into the rejection she felt as a child and the chaos in her life as a result of her parent’s divorce when she was quite young. She had a lot of struggles to go through as an adult, then, as she was trying to work toward forgiveness. Along with her story, Bonnie gives practical thoughts about following the Lord. She also gives prompts for ways to help to unpack and heal from your own past, as well as prompts for things to talk to the Lord about.
I really appreciated the focus on Jesus and His healing work in our lives in this book. I didn’t take time to do the prompts at the end of each chapter but feel like I would have had a much richer reading experience if I had. There’s a lot of good thoughts here, not only talking about working through the past but also learning to trust Jesus for our present as well. And, of course, one of the main encouragements in this book is taking time for whitespace—times to rest and recharge with Jesus. There’s a lot packed into this book, and if you need encouragement in your life, I’d recommend you read it. I really appreciated it.
I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
June 23, 2018
This book made me uncomfortable and I've finished it with a clearer vision that Grey's voice reminded me of my own even though our background, knowledge and faith are different. Like reading back in your own journal and cringing, there are some days you can open to the same page with a groundedness that calm that has you able to think kindly about the person you were and the things that you did. This is what I felt and props to the author for putting herself out there. I'm in search of rest and of spiritual whitespace. I picked this book up while my phone and I was disconnected, not checking email, not reachable, no earphones, no audio books, no distractions from open ears and my mind taking in what was around me. That fit so well. The phone has returned and I can't bring myself to casually use it in the way that I did. Let's rest and let's live and love!
I especially connected to whitespace through my past few years of Quaker experiences and silent worship. Creating space and finding ease in this takes practice and can be frustrating. It is currently frustrating grr. But stitching and walks in woods is helping.
I especially connected to whitespace through my past few years of Quaker experiences and silent worship. Creating space and finding ease in this takes practice and can be frustrating. It is currently frustrating grr. But stitching and walks in woods is helping.
February 28, 2019
A friend shared "Finding Spiritual Whitespace" with me after we talked about our desire to stop overfunctioning and prioritize time with Jesus. Rest is tough for me. It feels lazy and unproductive. But my heart sings when I rest, and it allows me to function properly in other areas of my life as a wife, mom, friend, missionary, etc.
This book definitely gave me permission to make space for Jesus in my normal, daily routine and through conscious decisions to look for opportunities to sit/walk/be alone with Him. I read through it slowly, savoring each chapter, taking notes, answering the questions at the end of each chapter, and making sure I was listening to God and understanding how He wants to apply the principles to my life.
I appreciated Bonnie Gray's personal stories weaved in with a Bible study on rest. Her authenticity gave me the opportunity to see Jesus in her life as He walks with her through the mess. Like the author, I am a work in progress.
One suggestion - I wish she had included all Scripture references when discussing Bible stories or concepts.
I would recommend this book for individual or group study. It's one I would read again.
This book definitely gave me permission to make space for Jesus in my normal, daily routine and through conscious decisions to look for opportunities to sit/walk/be alone with Him. I read through it slowly, savoring each chapter, taking notes, answering the questions at the end of each chapter, and making sure I was listening to God and understanding how He wants to apply the principles to my life.
I appreciated Bonnie Gray's personal stories weaved in with a Bible study on rest. Her authenticity gave me the opportunity to see Jesus in her life as He walks with her through the mess. Like the author, I am a work in progress.
One suggestion - I wish she had included all Scripture references when discussing Bible stories or concepts.
I would recommend this book for individual or group study. It's one I would read again.
March 6, 2018
It took me a little bit longer to read this than I "planned out." But I'm glad I kept going and finished it. I can see how it has almost come alongside me as I decluttered the house, let go of the guilt for not studying every day, and creating space for my relationship with God. I didn't journal as much as I thought I would, but again - grace. I can totally see, knowing as little as I do about her Whispers book, how it followed this one perfectly.
I enjoyed the way Bonnie wrapped her story in her thoughts about white space (ie quiet time). It was easy to connect to some parts of her story even though our paths are not alike. I think that's why I like reading people's stories - there's almost always a connection made when we know a little more. Through that connection I was able to understand better what she was saying in regards to whitespaces and how necessary they are.
I'm grateful I picked up this book even if it was a few years late. :)
I enjoyed the way Bonnie wrapped her story in her thoughts about white space (ie quiet time). It was easy to connect to some parts of her story even though our paths are not alike. I think that's why I like reading people's stories - there's almost always a connection made when we know a little more. Through that connection I was able to understand better what she was saying in regards to whitespaces and how necessary they are.
I'm grateful I picked up this book even if it was a few years late. :)
November 13, 2018
It’s taken me quite a while to read this book - I was going through my own need to find some spiritual whitespace.
I liked the concept of this book - the idea that whitespace as it is used in design, gives the eye a place to rest when looking at a page, a piece of art, a room, or any other visual design. It’s a place to pause. Since I work in the marketing communications business, I am all too familiar with the concept of whitespace, and it’s importance to the whole.
I wasn’t quite expecting the drama that the author’s personal story engendered. Ultimately, I found the reading more intense than the topic warranted. Felt like I was always searching for whitespace and had a hard time finding it.
For some this book might be perfect. For me, I am grateful of the reminder of the necessity of whitespace across all areas of my life that this book called up.
I liked the concept of this book - the idea that whitespace as it is used in design, gives the eye a place to rest when looking at a page, a piece of art, a room, or any other visual design. It’s a place to pause. Since I work in the marketing communications business, I am all too familiar with the concept of whitespace, and it’s importance to the whole.
I wasn’t quite expecting the drama that the author’s personal story engendered. Ultimately, I found the reading more intense than the topic warranted. Felt like I was always searching for whitespace and had a hard time finding it.
For some this book might be perfect. For me, I am grateful of the reminder of the necessity of whitespace across all areas of my life that this book called up.
December 30, 2018
Poetically vulnerable.
Bonnie Gray pours out her personal testimony of emotional trauma and physical struggles in her search for true spiritual rest after years of just surviving through life.
A refreshing read for someone like me who has gone through similar experiences and also moving along in my faith journey to heal from past hurts.
I especially loved her description of being “joy-wounded”, as I am learning in my own life what it means to be joyful in and with (past) suffering.
An excellent read for those who have been through very deep hurts in their lives and are on a search for meaningful faith-centred rest for their souls in Jesus Christ.
Bonnie Gray pours out her personal testimony of emotional trauma and physical struggles in her search for true spiritual rest after years of just surviving through life.
A refreshing read for someone like me who has gone through similar experiences and also moving along in my faith journey to heal from past hurts.
I especially loved her description of being “joy-wounded”, as I am learning in my own life what it means to be joyful in and with (past) suffering.
An excellent read for those who have been through very deep hurts in their lives and are on a search for meaningful faith-centred rest for their souls in Jesus Christ.
February 17, 2020
This book is such a treasure to me. I had no idea Bonnie went through PTSD as an adult because of her childhood experiences. It's one of those things that isn't often talked about, yet Bonnie writes about it like a friend - one who is warm and transparent about her struggles. This is a wonderful book for anyone who could use more peace in the presence of Jesus. Her coffee-themed ideas for cultivating rest (Creative Cappuccinos, Soul-Care Espressos, etc) really do help to find a new rhythm of valuing time to care for our souls and receive God's love.
February 3, 2017
i really wanted to love this book, because i am a fervent believer in rest. But I only liked it. I am not a fan of blog-style writing in a book (perhaps because of my age). It took me a long time to get going in the book, mainly because I was put off by the style. But I persevered and was eventually won over by Gray's honesty, and by my connection with the trauma in her life. I think she has a great message for the busy church, but it was not in the best package for me.
July 11, 2017
I've just finished re-reading for the fifth time. I feel that Bonnie's approach is one that reminds us life doesn't fit into small neat boxes, but is messy and interconnected. If you want a quick fix inspirational book, this is probably not the book you're looking for. Bonnie invites you on a journey into her messiness. I personally have found this book incredibly helpful. It's an invitation to whitespace which does not happen quickly. Like a good coffee it requires brewing....
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