“You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintry light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
You might have wondered like I have. When will it be my time?
When will it be my turn . . . to taste spring?
Like me, you might have been waiting, longing — ever so patiently — to finally come to a place in your story. Where there are no more distractions. No more tears. No more fear.
Where the road will walk wide and the people you meet on this journey will welcome you with open arms. And call you friend. You imagine what it would be like to walk into a room and feel at home with yourself.
Like me, you long to be known.
I’ve often struggled to find this inner place of spring — where I could finally grow into the me God had in mind when He made me.
I kept waiting for a moment I felt I was okay, when I was no longer afraid — when I could feel confident of where I was headed, what I was doing, and where it was all culminating to. I was always trying to figure out my dream and my calling.
I thought I was being purposeful. I thought I was a good thinker.
But, the honest truth that I’ve come to realize is this: I was really afraid to be the Beloved. God’s beloved. Now. As is.
More Intimately Soul Beautiful
It’s a lot easier to set goals and endeavor to achieve them — whether they are better versions of ourselves as a woman, friend, daughter, wife, mother, or even as a believer.
But, it is a lot more vulnerable to say instead —
“I need loving. I don’t want to do it all. I need beauty.”
And in those quiet moments, it is intimately more soul beautiful to hear God whisper in return —
“You don’t have to do it all. Don’t try to be something.
Be my Beloved. Be loved.”
It’s easier to push through in a noisy world that celebrates doing and ignore God’s soulful whispers . To do something definable — to do things that others could point to and say, “Look. She did something. She is somebody.”
It’s a lot harder to stop. And soak in all that really matters again.
To rest. To feel tenderness toward yourself and those you love.
{click to download free printable}
It’s what our soul truly longs for. To love and to be loved.
Love. It’s the seed to everything we were meant to be in this life.
The Most Beautiful Vision of You
Love. It’s the seed God planted in each of us as He traced His fingerprints into our hearts when God made us in the secret place. When God dreamed of making something new — when He thought of all the sunsets He would paint, all the waves He would brush along the ocean’s edge, and all the wildflowers He would dot along hillsides no one else would ever see, except Him alone — God thought of you.
God held the most beautiful, perfect vision of you — and He breathed that part of Himself into your soul and your spirit. Your personality. Your likes and dislikes. And He protected that eternal version of you with His love.
No amount of brokenness, betrayal, loss or rejection can hurt that inner part of you.
Because you belong to Him. You are His beloved.
His love is Spring to our soul.
Will you let Spring back in? Will you let God love you again — in a fresh and new way?
Like honey bees harvesting nectar in the spring when flowers and plants are in bloom, I’m gathering Scriptures that are returning a sweetness to my soul. I’ve come to a point in my journey — a chapter in my story — to make these truths mine. Now.
I’m not going to wait.
I choose to be God’s beloved — afraid, doubtful, incomplete. As is.
I am choosing to be God’s beloved — by saying yes to Spring.
Whispers of God’s Love
It’s the first day of Spring today. I’d like to celebrate it by sharing God’s whispers of love with you — as they’re whispering Spring in me.
You are my beloved.
Just rest. “Return to rest, my soul for the Lord has been good to you.” {Psalm 116:7}
Choose joy. “He will take delight in you… He renews you with his love.. he will rejoice over you with singing.” {Zephaniah 3:17}
You are my beloved.
Be real. “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” {Deuteronomy 33:12}
Choose beauty. The God who made the world and everything in it…He made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God.” {Acts 17:26-27}
You are my beloved.
Enjoy what delights you. “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. And delight yourself in abundance.” {Isaiah 55:1-2}
Start new. Cherish the small. “Do not despise these small beginnings. You are mine.” {Zechariah 4:10, Isaiah 43:1}
May these whispers of love inspire you to join me on this journey of spiritual whitespace: choose to be His Beloved.
Today. Don’t wait.
Let His Love become Spring in you today.
~~~~~
Pull up a chair. Share a Scripture that God is whispering words of love to you.
How can you say yes to Spring in you?
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Bonnie,
As for scripture, I would have to echo Zephaniah 3:17. It has been a long road to believe, in the deep places of my soul, that the Lord not only loves me, but He “delights” in me. When I envision this delighting, I see a Father swinging his daughter around in the air…twirling and hugging and laughing. Now, I see my Heavenly Father swinging me in the air and I see the love and delight on His face and in His eyes. And, He rejoices over me with singing. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but I do know what it’s like to be so joyful you want to burst out in song. God does this…and He does this over me?! Oh how I pray we all, as daughters of the King, could embrace this picture. I’m inviting Spring in today…thanks Bonnie for an uplifting post this morning!
Blessings,
Bev
Bonnie Gray says
@bevduncan:disqus it’s soul beautiful to hear how you see your Heavenly Father — his eyes on you, in his face and in his whole being — love for you. because it’s true. you are His beloved.
Anna says
Bonnie, thank you for this beautiful post and especially for sharing that verse from Deuteronomy. I love the image of resting “between His shoulders”. I’m struggling as a Mum right now because painful memories are exhausting me and I feel so alone in it all, even though I have a loving family and friends around me. I’ve been yearning to be the one who is held and fully embraced, to be the child. This Scripture speaks truth into my soul: He wants to hold me, He wants to embrace me, He wants to fill in the aching and yearning with His love, His compassion, His warmth. I just need to let go and let Him. As Jesus says in John:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Bonnie Gray says
@Anna, it’s soul beautiful how you hear God’s whispers touching your heart’s longing in the Deuteronomy verse. It’s His gentle voice you hear reaching out to let you know He sees you and longs to hold you – for you to be His child. I think you would REALLY enjoy the soulful experience of reading my book “Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest” – I share the journey God led me on to experience that place you’re longing to experience – and fellow kindreds have taken the journey through the book and found it soul-changing. 😉
Anna says
Thank you, Bonnie. I read your book before Christmas, but that was before I had these memories resurface in frightening ways…I read your book thinking of all sorts of other people who needed this soul rest…not really fully taking it in for myself. But your book has helped me realize my need for counseling to free the depressive hold of these memories. I’ve made my first appointment and it’s scary and hopeful at the same time. I know I will go back to your book for encouragement and hope, as I travel these new roads. Thank you.
Kristine Brown MTY says
I love love love to sit by the window and watch the birds feeding from the bird feeder. There’s just something about watching those sweet creatures. And as an added bonus, I have to be STILL or they will fly away. That’s my peaceful, white space moment!
Bonnie Gray says
@kristineMTY:disqus i love love love how you love love love that pocket of #spiritualwhitespace … you and Jesus. Jesus and you. what a sweet surrender of sweetness with God.
Lisa says
That was a beautiful way to start this brand new Spring day, Bonnie. Thank you. The Scripture choices are excellent. I am thanking and praising the LORD for His Abundant Grace and Mercy in Christ Jesus’ Name.
Bonnie Gray says
@lisa – how sweet it is to be together, swimming in the sweetness of these verses that bring Spring to our soul today. happy spring, sweet kindred!
Karla Neese says
Oh how I needed this timely reminder and prodding. I’ve been in a funk lately but sense its actually where Abba wants me. It’s different and I’ve not known what to do with it. And then this came and I have His answer. Thank you for sharing.
Bonnie Gray says
@karlaneese:disqus – how sweet it is that even in that place of funk, you feel the touch of Abba holding you and inviting you to just be His… beloved. happy spring, sweet kindred.
Stephanie says
John 3:16 always reminds me of God’s never ending and unfailing love. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one an only son, so that, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus loves us so much that he suffered and died on the cross for us. Now that’s LOVE and I am forever greatful for it!
Thank you Bonnie for the beautiful post today! Truly was a blessing to read. Really needed to see this today and be reminded that Jesus loves us just the way we are and that we are His beloved forever!
Bonnie Gray says
@disqus_KIKoJi8PFn:disqus john 3:16 is a beautiful verse that gets renewed at different junctures of our journey, doesn’t it? happy spring, kindred.. you are so beloved. His beloved…
Stephanie says
Yes it does! Thank you so much! Happy spring and have a beautiful and blessed day! 🙂
Michele Morin says
So glad to be reminded that spring is finally here! “Let righteousness spring up!” Isaiah 45:8. Any old excuse for righteousness, right?
Bonnie Gray says
@michelemorin:disqus beautiful Isaiah 45:8 — thanks for sharing this first spring day with your beloved verse…
Kimmygirl says
Bonnie,
Once again you have blessed me with an exquisite post! I’ve been so ‘winter-weary’, and the reminder that spring weather is near does my heart good. Learning to become His beloved……Thank you!
Bonnie Gray says
@kimmygirl – once again how sweet it is to share this moment her together as kindreds. 😉 happy first day of spring… you are so beloved.. His beloved.. enjoy this day.
Marty says
“His love is Spring to our soul.” I LOVE this! Thank you so much for this reminder. 🙂
Bonnie Gray says
@disqus_4ekDD2kzRv:disqus so sweet to share this first day of spring together.. thnx for being here.
Trudy Den Hoed says
Spring is my favorite season. I love seeing all the signs of new life and hope. Thank you, Bonnie, for the refreshing view of Jesus’ love being “spring” in our souls. Looking and longing for a revival of life and hope in Christ as His beloved! Hugs to you!
Bonnie Gray says
@trudydenhoed:disqus sweet Trudy… soul wonderful to share this first day together… love your words of hope and newness in your voice! enjoy this day, sweet beloved!
Sheri Clark says
Beautiful…his mercies are new every morning.
Bonnie Gray says
@shericlark:disqus beautiful.. soul beautiful verse on God’s mercies.. enjoy this special day, sweet beloved.. !
Diane Wolcott says
Spring is a time of renewal, of hope. One scripture that I love is found in Isaiah 43:19…”Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (ESV) So after the long “death” of winter, spring brings forth new life. Rejoice!
Bonnie Gray says
@diane – this is perfect verse for this first day of spring.. isaiah 43:19 — thank you for adding this gem of a verse here… enjoy this first day of spring, sweet beloved.
Bonnie Gray says
@samantha this is a beautiful verse is. 66:13 — treasure among gems. thn you.. #kidnreds
Deena Marie says
A good way to start my weekend. I am resting and beginning to really soak in that my Daddy ,King, Lord calls me His beloved. Not a cultural, Biblical greeting, a love note to His child. Thank you
Chelle says
Bonnie, thank you for sharing your heart so openly. God has used your words, your story to begin healing in me. i used to write prayers, thoughts, poetry regularly. But for the past several years haven’t been able to. Today I was able to pour out my heart to God! So thank you for the encouragement to be and to express. I know it’s long, but this poem is the beginning of ‘spring’ in my life and I wanted to share with you as a deep and heartfelt thanks:
remake me God.
I’ve hidden and puffed up, diluted, replaced
til I no longer resemble the ‘me’ that You made.
my fears hold me captive
my mask hides me safe
but my thoughts they torment me
the illusion, it shakes.
then the loneliness aches.
so remake me God.
where I’ve hidden, expose.
where I’ve built up, tear down
where I’ve believed lies, let Your Truth resound!
and then help me believe.
because I miss who You meant me to be.
i’m so done with ‘fine’ and ‘alright’ and ‘okay’
i’m tired of regretting the ‘yesses’ I say.
tired to the bone.
Tired from managing impressions, accommodating, hurrying,
striving and swallowing, resenting and worrying.
REMAKE ME GOD! PLEASE!!!
i’ve arrogantly re-done’ what You did.
thought I could keep wearing the ‘good girl’ that hid
my desperate longing just to be loved.
when all along You loved me.
the me You made.
so remake me God.
i’m sorry, so sorry for revising Your plan
For hating and denying the person i am.
for seeing myself with a distorted view
through the vision of ‘Others’
not the perfection of You.
forgive me. disinfect me. purge and redeem;
renew. sanctify. clarify. clean.
remake me God.
erase my mind and replace it with You.
take out my heart and give me one new.
cut out my tongue and my eyes and my ears
til all that i know are the words that i hear
coming from your lips:
beloved.
beautiful.
chosen.
mine.
help me believe them and let them define
the rest of my life.
introduce me again to the ‘me’ You designed
and help me embrace her; every facet and line
every moment and memory, each smile and each tear
the things that she loves, the things she holds dear.
please help me to love her weaknesses too.
help me clutch to them tightly as reminders of You;
and how Your strength is all that i need.
i will lean and listen.
follow and learn,
desire and depend on
hunger and yearn.
O Father YES! Please let it be.
Hallelujah! Amen.
God please,
remake me.
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
I also like Zephaniah 3:17. I find it hard to envision God taking great delight in me and singing over me. My journey has been a rough beginning last year. But through it all God was there carrying me through each trial/ medical problem with my aging dad. it felt dark, dreary and I just wanted to run away from it all and be in a desert. Now it seems that Spring is finally here both outside and inside my soul as well. I have found my spiritual whitespace and enjoy those moments of quiet and rest! It is now my turn to rejoice over God and live as His beloved, cared for child!
Blessings 🙂
Joy Lenton says
Bonnie, you won’t know how much these words speak to me:“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” as they echo my heart’s greatest need and desire.
And, oh, how hard it feels to let go of my cares and concerns, rest and relax in being God’s beloved! All through Lent He has issued this invitation and I’m only just beginning to truly ‘get’ it. Thank you so much for this hope-filled and inspiring post which touches me with Holy Spirit breath of Spring, new life, restoration and renewal. Blessings to you! 🙂 x
Stephanie says
I was so happy to read this today. I can’t even express to you what rest it brought to my soul. I’ve been walking through a journey of healing and was just expressing to my therapist last night that I don’t know what to be looking for. What exactly I should hope for – you know, what healing looks like. And sometimes I get stuck in that wondering, thinking, waiting stage instead of rejoicing in the today. And in the fact that I am HIS LOVED CHILD. Thank you!