i first became acquainted with bonnie gray through her writing at (in)courage.me. i was immediately drawn to her softspoken style. and i just so loved her message of finding rest in the love of God.
anyway, one afternoon last summer, it was a beautiful day and my lavender had just bloomed for the very first time. so naturally, i took a picture of it. i shared it on my instagram and tagged it with bonnie’s #spiritualwhitespace – she has created such a beautiful community and i wanted to share it with her.
i was so touched by bonnie’s lovely comment…
i.love.lavender. it is literally #spiritualwhitespace for me. you’ve just inspired a post, friend…
so last fall, i had finally had a chance to read bonnie’s book, finding spiritual whitespace. i thought it would be a good fit for my word for last year (PARE). because i spent so much of it struggling with my ridiculous to-do list.
i loved this beautiful book…it’s like a love note from Jesus. and although i do not share traumatic childhood memories, i have experienced how painful memories can bubble up in times of transition. i know barren, desolate places. i know emptyness.
but i also know that these are exactly the places where Jesus comes to meet us. to pour out his grace. to heal our wounds and breath life back into our souls.
ok. so fast forward to last week when bonnie came back to my humble little photo…asking if she could share it with her community via her blog.
oh. my. heart.
but then something even more amazing happened. bonnie clicked through the link on my instagram profile and found my blog. she reached out to me and asked me if she could share my desktop calendars with her community. and also, she asked me – bonnie asked me – if i would like to create a hand-lettered printable for her bookclub.
you guys…i am really struggling with the words to express what this means to me. because four years i was struggling so hard with the fear that the best years of my life were coming to an end. and now this?
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—1 Cor 2:9
i would just like to close here by expressing my sincere, profound gratitude to all of you. for every kind word of encouragement. for all of your support. for letting me share my journey and my story with you. i am eternally grateful.
all my love, kelly
“There are those who search for God in the quiet places. They may be found standing in humble awe before a sunset, or weeping quietly at the beauty of a concerto, or overflow at the sight of an infant in its mother arms. They are the lovers of the quiet God, the believers in the small graces of ordinary life. I honor those who search for the quiet God, who seek the spirit in the small moments of our everyday life. It is a celebration of the ordinary, a reminder that when all else is stripped away, a life lived with love is enough….” — Anon. Dear Kelly, May you always find your “quite space” for your art, and message for your readers. Thank you!
May you always find your “Quiet Space.”
I continue to be proud of each stepping stone you take, my friend! xo
Wow! That is so wonderful!!!
I am so glad Bonnie shared your blog with us. This encouraged me today.
I’m so thrilled for you Kelly! You are so talented in photography and calligraphy. I can tell you’re following your heart!
I believe the best years are yet to come for you, Kelly…you are only just beginning. Just goes to show what happens when we follow our hearts…so happy for you!
Kelly, I just read Bonnie’s post on (in)courage and was like “hey! I know that photo!” It was your hanging bottle photo from Be Still. I remembered it because I loved it so much when you posted it in the flickr group. So I wanted to stop by and say how much I am enjoying your art, and congratulations and well done!
thank you so so much Brenda. xo
Yay Kelly!
You are such a beautiful soul and I am so happy for you!
Best,
Susan