I woke up preoccupied. It was Monday morning, and I felt tired before the week even began.
I had a book deadline looming, and I couldn’t figure out how I was going to get all the words in before it was time. So, as I started making the coffee, I was already engineering my day — and my week — like a game of Tetris. I was working on optimizing every minute, to get maximum productivity.
There was no white space. My heart sank knowing there wasn’t going to be much — if any at all — space to breathe.
The day just started, but the whole week ahead already felt old. I felt old.
The sun was shining. The sky was blue. It was such a pretty day really, as I looked outside, over the kitchen sink.
I saw the beauty, but you know what? I didn’t feel the beauty that was right in front of me.
Have you ever had a morning like that — when the morning is still young — but you look at the week ahead and you already feel weighed down and tired before an hour of the new day has even been lived?
Preoccupied
Well, there I stood, like a wilting willow, in front of the coffee maker. It seemed like even the coffee wasn’t cooperating, taking a long time to percolate, drip, and help me out!
I climbed upstairs to get out of my PJs to start the day. My coffee will be done when I get back. I wanted to multitask. Maximize and be efficient, right?
Can you imagine how upset and bewildered I was when I came back downstairs to find a pot of clear water sitting in the coffeepot staring back at me!?
I checked the power cord. That was plugged. What?
I was so preoccupied stacking up my whole week in those early morning minutes, I put in the filter and filled up the water tank in the maker.
But forgot the most important thing. The coffee!
I flipped the lid open. Oh. I forgot to put the coffee grounds in the coffee filter.
Me-Time
As I started making another pot of coffee, feeling frustrated about feeling frustrated, I decided, you know what, I am going to take my morning walk.
I don’t care if it puts me behind. I need my spiritual whitespace. I need some me-time with God.
I need beauty. I need to feel beauty. With God.
All it takes is 10 minutes. That’s what I found while doing research for my new book. Studies show that just 10 minutes can refresh and help with anxiety — depression in school work, work. and everyday life.
The Whisper
So, I threw caution to the wind. I quickly put on my shoes before I convinced myself otherwise, and I marched myself out the door. And I began to walk.
And the more I walked, the more I could feel the quiet breeze tickle my face, the sun warming my shoulders. I saw some birds picking seeds off the ground and thought one looked like the mother and the other her baby. I saw how the sun was casting shadows across the blades of grass.
And there in that whitespace, I felt beauty. It tasted quietness. I could breathe.
I felt peace.
I knew that peace was the whisper of God.
And I returned from that walk renewed, energized — and inspired!
Free to Be in the Moment
I wrote so much faster and with such passion, joy, and enthusiasm that morning! Even though I still had a whole lot of work ahead, I was no longer thinking about tomorrow or the next day after that.
I was free to be in the moment. I was freed from carrying the weight of the whole week on my back.
And you can be free to be in the moment too.
Jesus said:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. {Matthew 6:34}
Are you tired? Worn out? Come to Me.Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me . . . watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. {Matthew 11:28-30}
Jesus is the coffee in our schedules.
Jesus is the coffee in our souls.
Jesus Is the Coffee
Me-time with Jesus rejuvenates and refreshes us — as we take time to rest and refresh.
So don’t forget the coffee. Don’t forget Jesus.
We can orchestrate the most optimized life and engineer a high output schedule, but without time to rest and refresh, we don’t have peace. We don’t have joy. And we don’t feel beauty.
But you were created for joy — for peace — for beauty.
You were created to walk as the Beloved.
You were created to be loved.
And that is how you will be a light.
Walk as the Beloved
Take the time to feed your soul — for me-time.
Enjoy spiritual whitespace — me-time to renew yourself by doing things you enjoy with Jesus.
Faith is like that first sip of caffeine in the morning. It energizes us from within.
When we take the time to make space — whitespace in our schedule — even if it’s 10 minutes, God can renew us.
You will return from that break — refreshed. Inspired. Renewed — for just that day.
So, throw caution to the wind, friend.
Take a walk outside today and let God touch you.
Walk your Monday blues away with Jesus. Walk with Jesus any day. Every day.
You’ll returned inspired to just take one day at a time. God will provide.
Pull up a chair. How can you allow God to renew you? What energizes you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Theresa says
Thank you, Bonnie. I am going into a very busy time and this is just what I needed to read.
Donna Upshaw says
Great perspective and great word. Take time to breathe in rhythm with God. It sounds so easy but in truth is very difficult. WE get in the way.
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY. What part of this is so difficult. It is the taking time!
God supplies the BEING HOLY. Our part is take time.
This beautiful writing demonstrates to us the importance of being still in HIS prescence and the beauty of just being with HIM.
Take a walk and look at the beauty He has made. Just BE. Smile. You are loved by your Maker and others Be still and know this you are unique and beautiful and loved by God. Enjoy
Denise says
Hi. The next time I fill the coffee pot with only water, I will know why. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Gina says
Exactly what I needed this morning because there is no white space in my schedule! Heading out for a walk right now.
shelly says
We’ve been living in our new house 10 days. Needless to say, a time of never enough time.
I have been taking the time to go on my daily run (most days!) and as guilty as I feel when I leave, by the end of the day, I’m so glad I did. Not only does the run clear my head and give me quiet in my mind while I’m running, at the end of the day, I can point to at least one thing I got finished!
I think it’s easy to put off finding a few minutes for ourselves because we “don’t have the time,” but really, spending the few minutes seems to create more productive time, not waste it.
ELIZABETH-ANNE says
I hate coffee, can I swap it for a decaf Early Grey tea instead ?? 🙂
Beth Williams says
Elizabeth-Anne
Yes! I , too hate coffee. Drink lots of hot and cold tea-many flavors!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Sorry I missed you yesterday my friends….Don’t worry, I’ll drink enough coffee for both of you lol!
Blessings sisters,
Bev
Barbi says
As I had two bad weeks at work behind me I was not looking forward to this week either. The work ahead was the same as last week with the same problems. This story was perfectly timed to remind me to just walk with God today and not worry about tomorrow. To find joy in doing Gods work even if I don’t see it. Thank you and God bless.
Judy Wagner says
Thank you Bonnie for an inspiring message. It’s 7:30 here, Monday, and I’m sitting with a cup of coffee facing 5 days of vacation with a long list of “things to do” in 5 days, it’s like 6 months of things to do in 5 days. I am already criticizing myself for not being up at 6am, like I wanted, to go out and start on yard work before it gets too hot. My 2 cats were trying to get me up but I just ignored their meows and rolled over. It did feel good to lie there and not have to get ready for work. But I have so much to do! I got laundry started last night– multitasking I thought. But so many thoughts going through my mind, hard decisions to make about taking early retirement, mainly for the very reason that I have no energy left at the end of the work day to do anything, thus the 6 months of work to do in 5 days! And it’s been a hot summer after a cold winter, leaving me with no energy. And a father that is 84 years old, living alone, who needs more attention all the time. So your message about needing white space and going for a walk is just perfect! I’ll finish my coffee, call my dad to check on him, go for a nice walk and talk with the Lord. It’s a nice sunny day and things will look better when I get back. The Lord always says to just take one thing, one day at a time. Thanks!
Debbie says
You always seem to write just what I need. I have been so uptight lately about so many things. I get so distracted easily and then I’m off and running on a tangent I’d not intended. When I feel stressed, I make mistakes. So your example of forgetting to put the coffee in is something I can identify with. Thank you for your straight talking in your Bonnie way. I love it. Now I must stop and spend some time with Jesus.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Paulette says
I start my day off walking. It gives me the privilege to spend time with my everloving God. That 45 minutes energizes my soul and frees my mind to see and hear the beauty of His voice and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Oh and I love watching the squirrels frolicking to and fro..
Jill says
Your message was the first thing I saw this morning and you were narrating my morning – as it happened! Thank you for reminding me to look out the kitchen window and see the blue sky and the beautiful sunshine, thank you for reminding me to put the coffee in the filter, and thank you for reminding me and refocusing me on the most important thing. I will lift my song to him today as I practice my guitar, exercise, and get ready for my looming deadline, the start of the fall semester for the courses I teach. Peace to you as you get ready for yours.
Tracy A says
Thank you Bonnie
Working on a very hard project this week and I agree with you. I need to take the time to enjoy the whitespace with God before taking on this big project each day.
Jolene Underwood says
I can relate so well. So, very well. No grounds ready to brew? Yep, my morning almost began similarly today. I prep coffee the night before but last night I felt like something was missing. This time it was the water. Easily my mind considers the living water I need every day.
Your message is timely and so precious to my heart this morning. This former always-filled-with-anxiety girl is frequently in need of reminders to breathe in soul deep. I cannot function another way any longer.
Blessings Bonnie as you breathe in too. Blessings to you on your book and the words which God gives you to share. May they pour out more of Him to everyone who reads them.
j says
Thank You– I awoke tired and carrying the whole week as I started the day– Thanks for helping me to re-set– and get free in Christ’s timing. In Christ, j
Susanna says
Jesus is the coffee in our souls. I like that!- It made me grin.
What a great analogy. Thanks Bonnie
Micah Maddox says
Bonnie, I love this. We need Jesus every single day. I’ve done this exact thing before. Oh that clear pot full of coffee. Such a powerful visual of how we show up empty when we don’t allow Jesus to fill us up.
norma says
Exactly what I needed today; a reminder to take time when it seems like there’s too much to do.
Kristin L Hanley says
Bonnie, YES! This morning I woke up feeling old and tired as well. Before the week has even launched, I’m dreading what’s ahead–not much about walking out in joy with the Lord. As a home-school mom and adjunct creative writing professor, I possess next-to-no quiet alone time, but when I get it, do I waste it? Am I intentional with my time, utilizing it to seek the Lord? As usual, your words convicted and inspired me. Thank you and bless you.
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
May God bless you and the book you’re writing. I pray it helps and enlightens women!! You are spot on about needing spiritual whitespace. Life can get crazy, & busy. All it takes is a few minutes to look out the window & see God’s beauty. For me I can get uplifted by listening to Christian music and praising God-with cups and cups of nice warm tea! Yes-Jesus, a little exercise and some warm tea will refresh our souls and renew our strength for the day’s work!
Blessings 🙂
Candy says
Thank you for writing this. It is getting the focus off our busyness and ourselves and focusing on Him that we get our real rest. He encourages and renews us, then we do our best work through Him! It’s about with and about Him.
Tina Gilbert says
Perfect analogy, Bonnie! ♡ i love it!
Staying in tune with Jesus also helps keep our negative (& sinful) thoughts awaaay!!! Which is an incredible Blessing to our day, right? 😀 i loved this fresh post. ♡
Sandra says
Thank you Bonnie!! As I read your post …. I thought …this is my life right now….
God knew what I needed to read… There’s so many uncertainties in my life right now, too many changes and too many losses that I am overwhelmed….. The weather right now is beautiful outside in MI, I was contemplating to go for a walk… Now I will as soon as I finishing typing this!
Thanks again! Blessings
Becky says
Thank you! This was right on time. Have missed your words. Can’t wait for new book!
Pearl @ Look Up Sometimes says
Sometimes I pray for the process to be as beautiful as the product. Your post is a perfect example of this. Thank you, Bonnie, for your example. And for pointing out that remembering the “coffee grounds” (Jesus) doesn’t have to take long and can incorporate other activities. A sprained ankle currently prevents me from walking, but I can still snap photos or read. Both can help me focus on beauty.
Janine says
What bible translation was used for the scripture verse Matthew 11:28-30? I love the wording, “Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace!” Wow! That blessed me!
Crystal Storms says
So inspired to go out NOW for a morning walk, Bonnie. I love that 10 minutes is all that’s needed to find that refreshing experience. I never noticed how my favorite verse on “rest” is followed by one to “walk with Jesus.” Thank you for encouraging my heart. : )
Lynn Simpson says
Yes, that was how I was feeling this morning! Thank you, Bonnie, for the reminder that ‘whitespace’ is always what feeds our day.
Mary Haynie says
Bonnie,
Perfect! I say good morning to God when I wake up. After my husband leaves for work, I have my quiet time, reading my Bible, and praying. Great time and I love my prayer room. Open windows where I can see God’s wonderful world.
Mary
Brandi says
As always, wonderful reminder, Bonnie. Thank you, may God give you all of the energy, strength, and creativity as you finish your book. May He bless you and keep you and grant you whitespace daily to live for His glory! Amen!
Irene says
Thank you for the encouragement! I look forward to coffe every morning….me time. Great idea to share this time with Jesus☕️
Sylvia Martinez says
I needed that. you made me giggle. thank you.
An says
Bonnie, I am so grateful to the Lord for this beautiful and much needed word. My soul has become so weary from the constant doing of a laden schedule that never stops. I need the time for Jesus and me. So grateful that you help me see that Sabbath with Him, while I need that day that He in His infinite wisdom gave, can also be small Sabbaths. While there is work that must be done, I so need that time of stillness to know His heart and will lest temper tantrums abound 😛 May we each have that small, still time with our gracious and loving Lord Jesus to lay our heads at rest on Him and hear His gently beating heart of Mercy 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
I love this An…”lay our heads at rest on Him and hear His gently beating heart of Mercy.” Beautiful!! That’s what I was doing yesterday when the world just got to be a little too much for me…rough day…but better today.
Blessings,
Bev xx
An says
Bev, I am so grateful to the Lord that today is better 🙂 Thank you for your encouragement and care-it is a balm to my heart that I am thankful to Jesus for 🙂
Calista Baker says
Oh, I needed this today. Thank you. 🙂
Rebecca L Jones says
I used to feed the birds before I moved, seeing the doves and cardinals was a taste of heaven in the morning. It can be anything to draw us closer to God, relieve life’s pressures. I know that feeling all too well. It is really dreading your life and that is not what we wantto done, it should be abundant. We were created to walk as the beloved.
Paula Gamble says
This is so perfect for today! Thank you for writing these words! I’m going to slow down and go for a run today! May God continue to refresh you as you refresh others! So glad I clicked on this link!
Cynthia McGarity says
Ahhhh, Bonnie…thank you for this from the bottom of my heart. Sometimes it’s hard to give ourselves permission to “play hooky” from life, when that play time is often exactly what we need to get everything else done. I’m convinced God loves it when we have fun, play, breathe, just BE with Him…He knows we need refreshment from this busy life. So thank you for giving me permission to go outside RIGHT NOW and find Jesus in my neighborhood beauty. Have an inspired day by day, the rest of your week!
Ely says
So true, Bonnie! I try to go for a walk every morning with my dog and it really sets the tone for my day :). I’m so glad you’re back blogging! I pray your book will be done quickly. God bless!!
Beth Werner Lee says
I need that book. My almost 16 year old daughter needs that book. But for now we will go take walks, and bike rides.
I’m on/off with coffee, and I need to quit again, for health reasons. Sad. But I make a pot every morning anyway, for my husband, and then start water for the teapot if I’m off coffee. In its cozy it stays warm all day and I sip it out of whatever mug I like while I write and teach. So, is Coffee Together the name of the new book?
Penny says
Bonnie,
Thank-you for your words, they always have a way of reaching me. I have forgot to add the coffee, and occasionally the water.
Have a blessed day,
Penny
Nancy Ruegg says
How wonderful, Bonnie, you’ve discovered at an early age that taking a ten-minute breather does wonders for our productivity levels. I’m quite a bit older than you, and am just discovering this truth! Also loved your statement: “Jesus is the coffee.” I, too, love coffee and take great joy in a sip now and then all morning long (and even part of the afternoon). Its warmth and delightful flavor keep me company–an analogy to Jesus’ warm and delightful presence, whose company I also enjoy–just as he invites me to in Matthew 11:30 (MSG). However, I’m still learning how to live freely and lightly as he desires! Taking one day at a time and trusting his provision are important first-steps. Thank you, Bonnie!
Linda F says
This totally echoes my heartbeat today .. this week .. the past months .. Thank you Bonnie for sharing what we so easily forget ..
Eva says
Thanks, Bonnie, for the beautiful analogy. Very inspiring. I love coffee… it wakes me up completely every morning. I start and end my day too with Scripture reading and reading some inspirational materials.
My schedule is always full. I love writing what I need to do each day, ticking-off one by one as they get done. I have a kind of main schedule of “one thing to do each day” even for 30 minutes after office hours to keep housework from piling up. But I should say, they are only “suggestions”. At 54, I don’t mind so much if I was able to follow this schedule or not. If I was not able to do one thing for lack of time, then I’ll do it the next day, or if time permits. Listening to what our soul and body need is very important. If I need to rest, I rest, and leave that clutter for a few hours until I have the energy to declutter. If an important thing comes up and kind of get in the way of my scheduled tasks, so be it. I am no superwoman. But I get things done… even in busy days… with rests in between included. Let’s do our best, God will help us finish the rest. 🙂
God bless…
Eva
Susan G says
Thanks Bonnie!
Your words are truth. We need Jesus first thing every morning – and especially on Monday mornings!
I awoke today feeling the same way…and for those of us who are retired, and do not have anything pressing, this feeling was doubly disappointing for me. I have to spend time with God, pray the blahs away, when they come, and also spend time in His Word! These are life-giving times for me! And soon I see through the fog, and see the “Son” shine of Jesus, and remember all the many things I am thankful for – far too many too count!
Blessings to you!
Katie says
Dearest friend! Thank you! With so many tjings on ky plate, I have forgotten spiritualwhitespace! Slowly I am trying to add it back and take care of me.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Bonnie,
Thank you for your extending His always warm welcome to come, be His beloved, and spend time in His presence. Walking in His wondrous creation that He gave us/me is always a reflection of His heart of love for me.
Thanks you…
Blessings,
Bev
Lisa says
Dear Bonnie,
I am still learning how to rest with Jesus properly. I thank God for you and your (in)couragement. You are such a blessing. May your new book be blessed as well.
Joelle Povolni says
Thank you Bonnie! When I miss my morning time with fire (lit candle), coffee, and my creator I feel empty. God has a way of refreshing, renewing, and energizing our hearts and minds so that we have the grace to face what the day ahead holds. Thank you for reminding me to always take that time with him!
evburchett says
I’ve read this a couple of times now. When I’ve made the time to breathe. Which lately isn’t often. I, too, play the Tetris game. How do I breathe with God? Nature is nice. But put me in my craft room. All the burdens start to slip away and I am refreshed and energized. No one will ever convince me that God didn’t enjoy creating us and everything else in our world. Just look at the giraffe. The duck-billed platypus??? Now THERE is proof that God let loose and had fun!!! And I think He put a bit of that in me. I convince myself that if an activity like crafting is fun I should only do it after everything else in my life is completed or scheduled to be completed. Do what needs to be done before you play. But then I never play. Because the chaos is never going to stop and the to-do lists are just going to keep growing. And I find myself so weary that I’m physically ill. Thank you a million times over for trying to get it through my thick skull once again that I was not created to meet others’ expectations or to rattle off all the things I did at the end of the day so that another will think I’ve made the most of my time and therefore I’m ok. Thank you for telling me that I was created for joy. For peace. For beauty. Hard after 46 years of training. Maybe I’ll get it one day though.