Friday, May 30, 2014

Space for Love

Last week I wrote about how I am trying to find my own spiritual whitespace. This new book and community are changing my views of rest and God so much. I feel the opportunities to grow and learn and endless these days!!

Just like Bonnie Gray suggested, I planned out for myself specific times to rest. I took a walk out by a lake and really looked at the trees and grass around me, instead of just focusing on the pavement. I lit a candle and read my book while savoring a cup of coffee.

I have SO much to learn and experience on this journey to rest. I crave making my time more intentional and focused.

But....

But I also realized that on this Journey to Rest, I have been focusing on me, me, me. I DO need to discover myself, I DO need to learn so much more about myself and who I am in Christ. BUT I am not the only one who needs the time and space to discover this.

So one morning, I kicked my hubby out on an errand to get some donuts (yes. Donuts. I haven't had them in forever so :p). But while he was gone I set up our kitchen table as a warm, inviting place for him to eat breakfast, relax, and spend some time completely to himself. I lit a candle, brewed some coffee, and even tidied the living room a bit so the clutter wouldn't distract him (but as you can see by Baby's sippy cup on the table..I didn't do a perfect job:)). Then while he was eating I kept Baby with me in the bedroom so Hubby could have some peace.

Doing this for my husband took me out and away from myself. I realized that my Hubby, who works so hard to provide for his family, needs rest just as much as me. I overlook this sometimes because he is an extrovert that loves his family so much.



Finding and experiencing rest will be an always transforming, fluid journey I think. There are so many ways to discover Jesus in our small little worlds, that just this small step of branching out and discovering Jesus in the world of another person....blew my mind. It brought me such JOY. What does it say about me that I experienced such JOY in serving my Husband?? Something good I hope, but I know also that it speaks to my selfish-ness.

I am wrapped up in me. But that is okay. Why? Because just by knowing this, admitting this, Jesus is slowly unraveling me. JESUS will be my source of rest and strength, and through Him...all things are possible.

ComeToMe_BonnieGray_Rest
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Whitespace Community Linkup @ faithbarista.com

3 comments:

  1. Nina from FullerWayofLife.comMay 30, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    Alyssa - I love what you did for your husband, stepping
    outside yourself and your need for rest and creating a special moment and space for him. That is so sweet. I'm reading Bonnie's book as well. It definitely contains a lot of "awakening" moments and new thoughts to ponder.

    Love these lines: “There are so many ways to discover Jesus in our small little worlds, that just this small step of branching out and discovering Jesus in the world of another person....blew my mind. It brought me such JOY.”

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  2. Thank you Nina! Aren't her words just so soul soothing??

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  3. Such a thoughtful thing to do for your husband! Joining you in learning and experiencing more of this spiritual whitespace. Thank you for sharing, Alyssa.

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