Finding Spiritual Whitespace: A Review

Over the past three weeks I have been reading Bonnie Gray's new book, "Finding Spiritual Whitespace:  Awakening Your Soul To Rest".  Bonnie Gray is the writer behind Faith Barista and has had her work featured on Dayspring's (in)Courage site and Crosswalk.com.  After graduating from UCLA she served as a missionary, missionary entrepreneur, and Silicon high-tech professional.  She now lives in northern CA with her husband and two sons.

As part of Bonnie's launch team, I received the book before it's release and was required to write an honest review after reading it.  I am linking my review up to Faith Barista's Blog Tour where you can read many reviews and posts centered around this fascinating book.

As an avid reader, I expected to read the book quickly, and breeze right into the review, but God had other plans.  When I opened the pages of her book, I found myself caught up in her story, His story, and my own.   Bonnie, a strong, confident woman of God, was suddenly overcome with repressed childhood memories surfacing, debilitating panic attacks, and more.  She was diagnosed with PTSD and went into therapy with a top PTSD therapist where with courage, she began to process and heal from her traumatic childhood.  The result of her journey is her book, "Finding Spiritual Whitespace", where she shares her walk on the printed page with grace, vulnerability and honesty.   Each chapter gives us glimpses into her personal story, and how Jesus walks with her, guiding, directing and healing her past.  In this process Jesus beckons Bonnie to rest in and with Him because He knows that the resting is where the soul is nourished and healing comes.   Bonnie says,

"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."  

At the end of each chapter we are invited to participate in the exercises provided, which will guide you into your own places of rest with Jesus, those places you may have hidden deep within that are in need of His healing touch.  This book is not only a memoir, but so much more.  We are given permission here to be our authentic selves, stop avoiding or covering the pain in our lives with busyness and activity, and embrace a full and intimate relationship with Jesus as His beloved. Bonnie invites us to stop and find God in the quiet places within.

On a personal note, my quick read turned into a three week adventure into my own hidden places.  I was only a couple chapters into the book when I began to experience nightmares and flashbacks that revealed more repressed childhood memories.  God was calling me to let Him be with me, as is....trusting His plan for me.  Even though it can be difficult,  I know that "awakening my soul to rest", the unearthing within, is bringing healing and the freedom Jesus speaks of.  "It is for freedom Christ sets us free..." (Gal.5:1) 

I have read hundreds of books over the years, and I can honestly say this book is very special and one I will return to again and again. The journey with Bonnie to find spiritual whitespace brings us into our own. We find Jesus there in the whitespaces as He beckons us~~ "Come to Me.......I will give you rest..." (Matthew 11:28-30)  I truly believe this book by Bonnie Gray is anointed by God to open hearts and restore souls.   "Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul To Rest" is a powerful read and I recommend it to everyone.