Bailey L.

Today, I am so excited to share Bailey’s interview. I absolutely love her site, Stuff and Guff, and her newsletters. I hope you enjoy her story and also all that she does. Be sure to visit her website.

She speaks to us about the importance of celebrating the small things, lessons learned in marriage, and how God is faithful to meet us where we are.

Bailey L.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. I love that God invites us to draw near to Him with confidence. We are His sons and daughters, and we have boldness before Him through the righteousness of Christ.

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Like so many times in my life, the Lord is really teaching me patience in this season. There is so much that I still have to learn about trusting God’s timing over my own and being open to the grace and mercy available to me in the waiting.

Profession: CPA by day, writer by night.

A one sentence bio of yourself: I’m a writer (and accountant) from NYC who finds purpose in pointing out the tiny graces of our lives.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? I grew up in and around Christian circles but did not personally encounter Jesus until my freshman year of college. The Lord had been gracious to create a kindling of truth and mercy around me in the form of good friends and sound teaching. I didn’t have a road-to-Damascus type moment, but slowly, over time, my eyes were opened to who He was and my faith was ignited.

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? This year, I committed to reading through the Bible in chronological order. The discipline of sticking to a reading plan amidst all the highs and lows of this year was really formative for me. The daily act of choosing God before anything else each morning– even through doubt or frustration or sadness or excitement– helped me see once again how faithful He is to meet us where we are.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): Currently reading Spring by Karl Ove Knausgaard, which is memoiric fiction that’s taught me how beautiful language can be and how important it is for all of us to be real and raw and vulnerable with each other. After this, I’ll dive into Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller and am excited to read about purpose in work, which is something I so often struggle with.

Top three essentials: Coffee, a book for the subway, and dry shampoo.

How did God speak to you recently? I’ve been married for about a year and a half now and have prayed constantly for specific things in our marriage. Recently, I felt the Lord calling me to try exclusively for my husband’s heart to be tuned all the more to God’s kingdom and trust that all the rest would fall into place. It has been such a good lesson in remembering that marriage is about glorifying God and not about my contentment or comfort.

“It has been such a good lesson in remembering that marriage is about glorifying God and not about my contentment or comfort.”

Hobby: Reading (almost anything), writing (specifically my weekly newsletter), and playing with my pup.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Investing in community, committing to daily spiritual disciplines, finding a counselor / mentor whom you trust.

Favorite person in scripture? David. I’m so grateful for how human his emotions are portrayed throughout scripture. The high’s and low’s of the Psalms specifically have resonated so loudly with me throughout the high’s and low’s of my walk with the Lord.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? That He is abundantly gracious. That He longs to give us good gifts at the perfect time. And that even when we cannot see Him or understand what He is doing, He is more good, more kind, and more loving than we could ever imagine.

“He is abundantly gracious.”

Favorite season? Autumn. We live in NYC, and there’s just nothing better than the trees turning in Central Park.

Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving. Gratitude and gathering are two of my favorite things.

A dream you have? To publish a book.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: My husband and I committed to “celebrate the small things” when we first got married, and it’s a tradition we’ve kept since. We make it a point to truly enjoy even the smallest of victories, and it’s been such a gift in keeping us grounded and grateful.

“My husband and I committed to ‘celebrate the small things’ when we first got married, and it’s a tradition we’ve kept since.”

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? Anything and everything about predestination.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: The inter-relatedness of our spiritual, emotional, and physical health. I’m such a strong believer in fighting to remove toxicity in all areas of your life and in understanding how they work together to live healthier, holier lives.

“I’m such a strong believer in fighting to remove toxicity in all areas of your life and in understanding how they work together to live healthier, holier lives.”

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? I try to wake up around 5:30, each day. I make coffee, take my dog for a walk, spend time in the Word, go to the gym (most days), and check my email before heading into the office.

What is on your nightstand? A jewelry dish, the book I’m currently reading, and way too many hair ties.

Define Christianity in a sentence: Though I am a sinner deserving death, Christ lived the life I could not live and died the death that I deserved that His righteousness would be credited to me and that I would have unity with God once again.

For more Bailey:

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO