About the Author

Bonnie Gray is the author of Sweet Like Jasmine, Whispers of Rest, wife, and mom to two boys. An inspirational speaker featured by Relevant Magazine and Christianity Today, she’s guided thousands to detox stress and experience God’s love through soul care, encouragement, and prayer. She loves refreshing your soul at...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Thank you Bonnie. Your words touched my heart and brought me to tears. As i struggle in this season of my life it is getting harder to hold on to hope.

    • Mary Ann,

      Don’t give up on hope & joy. God is walking with you through this wilderness season. He will take your hand & guide you through to the other side. Keep calling out & seeking Him. He will refresh you in His perfect timing.

      ((((((((((Hugs))))))))))

    • Hi Mary, it’s very special to have you share your heart so vulnerably with me and our community here. It blesses my heart to know my words brought you to a tender place of your heart and it encourages me to keep writing and sharing deep from my soul. I understand it feels difficult right in the middle of the struggle. God understands and sees you and many of us relate. I hope you subscribe to my BREATHE newsletter at http://bonniegray.com/subscribe, enjoy listening to my Advent podcast BREATHE: The Stress Less Podcast –where I share more encouragement about hope. I know it will lift your heart up, dear sister!

  2. Bonnie,

    I think Jesus is trying to tell me something. So many posts emails about choosing & finding joy. This might be a year of joy for many after years of heartache, stress & suffering. Who knows? Isaiah had much to say about this in Isaiah 43:18-20 Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up;
    do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
    The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

    We need to read that over & over. He provides for us. Just what we need at the right time. He truly is an amazing God. No matter where you are today return to the presence of God. Seek Him wholeheartedly & you will find joy once again.

    Blessings 🙂

  3. Thank you, Bonnie! I really needed to read this today! I’m forwarding it on to my sister, who will also be blessed by what the Lord used you to share today!!

    • Dear Linda, what a blessing it is to hear today’s words touch a tender place in your heart — and to have a chance to share encouragement with your sister!! What a loving sister you are, friend! Please pass on my encouragement to her to listen to my special wellness podcast “BREATHE: The Stress Less Podcast”, which will help spark joy! It’s available to listen anywhere podcasts are found and also https://www.lifeaudio.com/breathe-the-stress-less-podcast/ .. I hope you enjoy it too, Linda!

  4. His refreshment is always available to us! God is working even when we can’t see or discern it. Yes! Thank you, dear Bonnie, for this beautiful truth today!

  5. Thank you Bonnie. The post today was just what God planned for me to read and reflect on. I have been in a dark season this year with a cancer diagnosis and radiation, as well as family issues, and of course the pandemic. I struggle to find joy in this mess, but I always put my faith In God my Redeemer. I can discover living water in the dry desert.

  6. Thank you for these encouraging words. I so needed them. I’m feeling overwhelmed with being a caregiver. I love my family. I love God. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Asking him to strengthen me as I face these daily challenges! Thanking him for his grace and mercy. Fear not!!!

  7. Dear Bonnie:

    You always share very comforting words with us. Today was very special. Thank you so much for teaching us to keep finding joy in the midst of our desserts. God bless you greatly and also these beautiful ladies community.

  8. Bonnie, I had to smile when I read your post. I too have traveled out to the Mojave Desert searching for wildflowers! There were none to be found and I was so disappointed! But God has good plans. He brings beauty out of the wilderness and He brings joy and peace in all circumstances. Much love to you and your family this Christmas season. I would love to sit down and have a cup of tea with you!

  9. Lived in CA several years and spring time is amazing ! We learned very best locations near us for spring time flowers and spent many delightful days enjoyed the beauty!

  10. It IS a matter of choosing joy some days; we can’t just wait for it to find US. I love your metaphor, “the oasis of God’s presence,” Bonnie–an image that conjures up rest, relief, refreshment, and more. Our God provides exactly what we need, when we need it. Contemplating him and all the gifts he bestows allows joy to come bubbling to the surface!