In a Little While

In a matter of days my life will be changing dramatically.

Ten months ago I left America to go to a country God called me to, in order to teach and grow me and prepare me for what was ahead. I left America and found it extremely difficult for one reason: Jacob Cornell.

I remember my flight to Ireland, and as I saw and held a book, and listened to an album given to me by this man, I wondered how I could spend three months away from him. This moment en route to my destination, was one of my most difficult moments.

Six months ago, just days after I'd returned, Jacob told me that we were going to move forward in our relationship.Yes- told me. There wasn't any question, I believe, because of the confidence God had given him, and even me, that this was his will for our lives. Jacob displayed his love for me during these months in a way that I know has changed me.

Three months ago, on a very good Friday, Jacob got on one knee and asked me if I would marry him. I said yes twice. And Jacob's been asking me ever since. (I'm serious. It isn't abnormal for him to stop in the middle of a parking lot or shopping center, and get on one knee to propose. It's quite the panic on my part, I assure you).

Now, in just a couple days, I will stand with him and make a covenant before God. Jacob will be my husband and I will be his wife.

I spent a lot of my time giving God some ideas for my love story, and a lot of time attempting to do things myself. But, golly, am I thankful that God did not allow me to have my way. I thought my ideas were pretty good, but He had something far better than I could have ever hoped or imagined.

What I am trying to get at with you, ladies in waiting, is this message: wait well. Do not attempt to take things into your own hands, but surrender up your desires to the Lord. He cares for you and sees the desires of your heart. Don't let the monster inside that we call 'waiting' steal your joy for today.

I thank God for the work He did in bringing me and Jacob together. The good news is that it is evident that God was the one working. It is mine and Jacob's prayer that now, and throughout the entirety of our marriage, God will continue to be the one building.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it," (Psalm 127:1).

Waiting or Overwaiting?

For those of you who know me or have read my blog, you know that I often write on the subject of waiting. The Bible does indeed have a lot to say on the subject, and for good reason.

We are a people of haste. Especially in this culture. We want what we want, right when we want it.

"We can not wait for the fruit to ripen, but insist on picking it while it is still green. We cannot wait for the answers to our prayers, although it may take many years for the things we pray for to be prepared for us. We are encouraged to walk with God, but often God walks very slowly. Yet there is also another side to this teaching: God often waits for us," (L.B. Cowman, Revised).

What? That's just crazy. You mean to tell me God almighty is waiting for me?

Let me take a minute to talk to singles. If you are single and you have chosen to wait for God's timing in bringing you a spouse, then right on! This is not a decision you will regret. BUT waiting for your spouse does not mean sitting around twiddling your thumbs. God has a plan for your life and you have to make the effort to walk in that plan. Pour into the next generation. Move forward and grow in your relationship with the Lord.

"There are times when it takes strength to simply sit still, but there are also times when we are to move forward with a confident step," (L.B. Cowman, Revised).

Often times God's promises require an initial action on our part. This is found true with Abraham. He had to obey the Lord to receive God's promises. In Luke 17, when Jesus heals lepers and He tells them to go and present themselves to the priest, it says that "as they went, they were cleansed".

They had to walk forward even before they saw the promise fulfilled.

That's difficult to do. We want to have answers or results before we walk forward, but there are times when God does not give us the answers right away and we have no choice but to trust and rely fully in Him.

Thus says the Lord: "Stand is the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'we will not walk in it,'" (Jeremiah 6:16). 

Some Scribbles on Waiting

(Sometimes Bailey likes to stare dreamily out her window. And talk in third person.)

There are things I long to write but don't always feel I'm at the liberty to. So today I want to share, in hopes of reminding myself and maybe even you, a few things that have helped me be patient as I wait for God to bring into my life the man I will someday marry.

It's no easy task being patient but it is fruit that is produced in a Christian's life as you walk with the Lord. Sometimes I have asked God to just poof me the perfect fruit of patience so that all my worries will be behind me. His answer has always seemed to be no, but instead He has taught me lesson after lesson in those moments of deep prayer and waiting.

Why would you need patience if there wasn't something you wanted or hoped for desperately? The answer is that you wouldn't. Being patient doesn't mean you don't want something, as if you had no care in the world. It is when you want something more than anything, but instead of going out and getting what you think you deserve, you wait on God and His timing. You say no to your wants and desires and say yes to God and his.

It's not easy. It might be the equivalent of having a spider hide somewhere in your car, weaving intricate webs as you drive in complete, rational fear. (With the music turned way up so the spider will be scared and keep hiding). Yes. waiting is just like that.

There is one difference between waiting and having spiders in your car, though. When you patiently wait for your husband, the result will be worth every minute. Of this I am sure.

Maybe you have a dream of falling in love and getting married but you don't know who God has for you. It is my prayer that you will use this time to grow in your relationship with the Lord and really get to know Him through His Word. Now is such an amazing time for you to get to know your heavenly King without any distractions. And as you get to know your heavenly groom you will begin to learn His thoughts towards you. They are thoughts of good and not evil. As you learn His thoughts towards you, you will not need a man to give you your worth because it is found in the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Have high standards of a godly, christian man and never settle. God wants more for you than you will ever know.

Maybe you have been following the Lord and waiting and you think you've found the love of your life, or a possible candidate. I hope that you will still be patient and let God lead. His word says to guard your heart above all else, because it is the wellspring of life. Also I find it is important to let a man pursue you. For one, we are girls, and if you're like me, you want to be rescued, chased and wooed. Not only that, but guys want to pursue, rescue and woo. I think. Okay, I'm still not entirely sure how a male mind works but I'm sure it's somewhere in that sphere of thinking.

And if this is you and you believe God is working something out between the two of you, then pray for him. Do you pray for this man as much as you think about him or talk about him? Instead of dwelling, lift him up to the Lord and watch as God works.

And maybe you're almost or are already married. Well. I haven't gotten that far. But I can pray for you. You can come on over and give us all the wisdom and advice you have. We welcome it.

And if you are sitting here thinking it's too late. That you feel you've messed up too much for God to want to give His best over to you, I want you to know that you are wrong. You are a diamond and no man or previous action from your past will ever take away God's precious thoughts towards you. Did you know that God is thinkin about you? His thoughts towards you out way the grains of sand you see on a wide, open beach. And these thoughts are all good. He promises that if you love him He will work all things for good. Don't you worry, friend. God's got you.

So there you have it. I hope you feel as encouraged as I do after remembering to put Christ at the center of all things, Putting Him first above any and all relationships can only result in great blessings. I hope God's will will be done in our lives. He's a good planner and that's the truth.

I Am Thankful | No. 5

The month of November is not only bringing in colder weather and beanies but a heart of thankfulness and also turkeys.

This year "I don't want to just list the stuff I'm grateful for. I want to bathe in it. I want my heart to burst open with the joy of it all," (Christine Kane).

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I am thankful for...

WAITING

As much as I desire to meet the man I will marry, God has called me to wait as of right now. Some days most days it's a real bummer, but I worship a God who loves to turn what we may see as bad, into something good. Very, very good. (Romans 8:28). The good that God works things into is not a temporary goodness, like a movie you enjoy or a chocolate fudge brownie. Those are temporary things we consider good. The good He is working together is of eternal value, one that will not perish from the depravity of this world, but will thrive with Him when we inherit our full rights as God's adopted children.

He is working in and through us, shaping and molding us to look more like Christ. I may think it's a good idea for God to allow me to be with my husband now, but He's got better plans for me.

This is not to take away from the time in my life when God will allow love. He will be able to use that time to shape and mold us as well. But I can thrive in the here and now knowing that He is not giving up on me, that He is still working on my heart and doing something beautiful.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal," (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

When It's Okay To Go Hulk

"Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jeruselem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed it..." (Joshua 10:1)

I was beginning on one of the most famous stories in the bible. The one where the sun stood still. I'd never read it in my own personal study and I had prayed that the Lord would use it to speak personally in my life.

I didn't even get through verse 1.

That word "destroy" means the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them. It's to consecrate. To devote.

When Joshua had everyone in Ai killed I was frustrated because to me, it seems so wrong. So why did they do it?

Because it is what God required.

We must completely give to God- completely devote to Him- the desires of our hearts. Because it is what He requires.

Yes, it hurts. It's a daily struggle, but He is faithful that when we are tempted, He will give us an out. He continues to remind me the value of my waiting. That it is not in vain.

The truth is, there is something standing in the way of God's promises for our lives. That is what needs to be destroyed.

In Joshua's case, it was the men of Ai, and God required them to be destroyed.

For you it could be your love of money. A desire for a relationship before God's timing. A friendship that is leading you away from Jesus Christ. Whatever it is that is holding you back or standing in the way of God's promises for your life, that is what must be destroyed. We need to go Hulk on that obstruction.

Maybe we will destroy it, and that will be the end of it all together because God has something better for you. Or maybe you'll have an Abraham and Isaac moment when Abraham was about to sacrifice his only son, until God stepped in and stopped him, allowing him to continue to have his great blessing.

What is most important is that he was willing to offer his son to God if that is what He required him to do.

And that is the point, isn't it? It's our willingness to allow God to do what He knows is best. Even if it makes no sense. Even if it hurts like no pain you've felt before. It's our offering to God.

And what will He do with the ashes?

Only time will tell.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
(Psalm 51:17)

If I Were Standing Before You

Psalm 51:10

If I were standing before You I'd marvel at Your majesty. 

If I were standing before You I'd thank You for Your love. 

I'd mention my mom to You, reminding You of how much I loved her, and I'd ask You to soften her heart and to draw her near to You like never before.

If I were standing before You, I'd ask You to heal my step mom, but if it weren't in Your will I'd ask You to use her testimony to draw others to You and to bring You glory.

If I were standing before You I'd hide my eyes because I'd know that You saw all that was in my heart, but I'd ask You to create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

And then shyly, I'd make a request known. One that was for myself. 

But I'd be scared to, because someone once told me that a gift is not asked for, but received. 

So I'd lay before You my dreams, my longings, my desires, and I'd begin to ask You to be gentle until I realized You wouldn't do it any other way. I'd come to find out that my deepest desires were important to You. 

And that's when the burden would be lifted. Because I'd know that I can trust You with what means the most to me. I could trust You even if it was not what You had planned for me, because Your way was better. So much better. 

If I were standing before You I'd fall to my knees, asking You to form me into the woman You've always wanted me to be, even if I knew it would include pain. 

If I were standing before You, I'd ask You to forget what I wanted and have Your way. 

And that's when I realize You've been listening this whole time. 

Elizabeth Elliot on Waiting

Tomorrow was not our business; it was His. Letting it rest with Him was the discipline for the day, and it was enough," (Passion and Purity 63).

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Waiting for anything is hard. For me it's waiting on my future husband. You'd think I hated the W-word, but honestly it has become my favorite word. Waiting is not an agonizing time in life where it's a constant wishing for what you don't have, but it's a present moment in life that is spent trusting in the Lord and giving your life as an offering every day. It's allowing God to do His work in your life, His way. It's being content with the here and now. And like Jim Elliot once wrote, "wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Below is a passage from Elizabeth Elliot's book, Passion and Purity.

I should honestly just quote the entire book for you, but I can't do that. I'm pretty sure it's illegal. So go buy it, okay?

"Do you think God will let me know once and for all whether He is going to give me a husband? I'm in a holding pattern, it seems, and I'd like to know how long it's to go on." That is from a letter I received in 1982, but it could have been written by me in 1948. It's exactly how I felt. "If only God would let me know." But then, of course, there was the possibility that He was not going to give me a husband. Did I want to know that? Was I ready for it? Perhaps it was better to hope than to know. The "holding pattern" seems to describe a very important aspect of waiting on God. Most of us who travel by air have experienced this. The flight is nearly over, the plane has begun its descent toward the city of destination when you feel it pull up again, bank, and begin to circle. An announcement comes over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Due to heaving incoming traffic, the tower has assigned us a holding pattern." People groan. Babies cry. You look out and see the same scenery you saw fifteen minutes earlier. You think of the person waiting at the airport for you. You look at your watch and try to figure what will happen if you don't make your connection or appointment. You hope the captain will tell you exactly how long it will be before landing. How long is this circling going to go on? 

S.D. Gordon, in his Quiet Talks on Prayer, describes waiting. It means:

Steadfastness, that is holding on;
patience, that is holding back;
expectancy, that is holding the face up;
obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or do;
listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear.

How long, Lord, must I wait?
Never mind, child. Trust Me. 

Seriously though, go buy it. If you'd like to purchase the book click HERE.

Does God notice?

Does God notice?

I mean, He's a pretty busy guy.

He's got the balance of the universe to take into consideration. And He is pretty busy putting the clouds in the sky and telling it to rain, even in places where no one lives. He is telling the wind to go in the direction He desires it to go, and He's busy laying out the path of lightning. He's designing the colors of the setting sun and mapping the current of the waves. I mean, come on. Does He notice?

We're talking about the guy who laid the earth's foundation and marked off it's dimensions. That measuring line that stretches across the earth did not come about on it's own. God is busy telling the waves where to halt and giving the rooster it's understanding when to crow.

He is God Almighty, so does He notice the pain that you feel? Does He notice how lonely you are or even the desires of your heart?

Let me assure you dear friend- God notices.

Why do you complain, O Jacob,
and you, Israel, why do you say,
"My plight is hidden from the Lord,
and my cause has passed out of God's notice"?
Do you not know, Have you not heard?
The Lord, the everlasting God, creator of the wide world,
     grows neither weary nor faint;
     no man can fathom his understanding.
He gives vigour to the weary,
new strength to the exhausted.
Young men may grow weary and faint,
even in their prime they may stumble and fall;
but those who look to the Lord will win new strength,
they will grow wings like eagles;
they will run and not be weary,
they will march on and never grow faint. 

(Isaiah 40:27-31 NEB)

Original photo Via

He really does love us

Sometimes it's difficult to remember God's love when things fall apart. It's difficult to remember His promises and how faithful He is, during those times when life is not prospering.

But our God knows what we need and when we need it, and just so know, He is faithful.

God reminded me of His love today. He's been reminding me my whole life but it pretty much punched me in the face today. The most loving punch I've ever taken.

I serve a God who chooses to bless me and answer prayers I had never even prayed. I was humbled and completely confused as I sat in awe wondering, He answered this prayer that I never even prayed. I should have went to Him for that, so why did He bless me anyway?

And then I remembered.

God is good.

He is so good! He wants to bless His children. He wants to bring them joy and fulfillment- that of which can only be found in Him.

There are so many prayers from the past- prayers that he never answered- that I am thankful beyond belief for. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts, but He also knows that there is something far greater- something He has planned- than what we want in the moment.

He protected me from relationships that were not edifying. He did not answer prayers of weak desires for a boy who would never have loved me the way he should. I look back and I can see all of the times where He was protecting me and saving me so that I could be pure, emotionally and physically, for my husband.

I cannot not put down in words how thankful I am for those unanswered prayers.

And then even now, for the answers of prayers that I never even prayed.

He knows all and sees all. He has a plan. And sometimes it includes little things like allowing me a day off from work, or playing a song that always grabs hold of my heart.

It's the little things. But it's also the really big things as well.

"If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself," (2 Timothy 2:13).

Valentine's Day Gone Totally WWWWRight.

  

What did you do this Valentine's Day?

Did you go out with a date- the one you've been crushing on for- like- ever, who finally gained the courage to ask you? Were you someone's Valentine? Did you spend it with your husband who made you feel super loved? If so, us single ladies all envy you.

Were you alone this Valentine's Day? I was, relationship-wise. And you know what? That's okay.

I could have stayed home, asked my dog to be my Valentine and watched chic flics as I scooped three different flavors of Ben and Jerry's into my face. Yup, could have happened. And to be honest, it has in the past.

But this year, I decided to handle Valentines Day a little different.

I said I wanted to step out. To serve God and be used. So?

Three weeks ago a decision was made to put together a young girls Valentine Banquet.

We called it The King's Daughter after the verse "The King's daughter is all glorious within," (Psalms 45:13).

And boy, did He show up.

Putting it all together and planning it was stressful and time consuming and completely draining. There were plenty of times when I decided we should just call it quits. But God had a message to give to His daughter's, and I just pray we were able to send that message to them.

Whether it be the way the flowers sat before them, or the jars of candy they received. Whether they got it by the background music or the lights that strung above them. Maybe it was the actual message given or the prizes they received from the games.

Going into this banquet I was a bit stressed and worried, because there would be girls coming who needed to hear from God, and I didn't feel I could give them what they needed.

And I couldn't.

Only God could. So with prayer and love, we gave them what we could. Material things like above. Hoping that in the midst of it all, God would show up and wrap His arms around His daughter's reminding them of His infinite love and grace.

Hoping that, between all the giggling and frosting and songs and fun, He would be near, reminding His daughter's that He sees them and knows their desires and cares enough to give us His best.

So, relationship-wise, I was alone this Valentine's Day. But spiritually-wise, the Lord was near and completely present.

If you forgot about the Lord yesterday, it's not too late. You can give Him everything today too, and all the days that follow.

Wait | By Russell Kelfer

Often I feel as if God is holding back from me when it comes to who I will marry. But He showed me in the most beautiful way that He is not. Not in the slightest. He has a plan for my life, and one for you too.

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, loving God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said,
"Child, you must wait."
"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By faith, I have asked, and am claiming Your Word.

"My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a 'Yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'No' to which I can resign.

"And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And, Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
'I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!'"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting... for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel
And His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

"All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want-
But, you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power I give to the faint;

"You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me;
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

"You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save, for a start,
But You'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'
Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you!

"So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, 'Wait.'"

-Russel Kelfer

Day One | Relationship Status

The month of November is not only bringing in colder weather and beanies, but I'm doing a challenge. It's only twice a week, mostly because I'm lazy. Feel free to comment, and if you want to join in on the challenge, you're welcome to.

This is so dumb. Everyone knows my relationship status, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say: I am currently unavailable.

Okay yes, I'm single. But that doesn't mean I encourage, or even welcome, attention when it comes to guys. I'm pretty awkward, and never having dated and whatnot, I guess the whole guy thing is beside me.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Don't ask me why, because I'm sitting here trying to find a way to explain it, but I can't. I don't want to share with anyone else, that which belongs to my future husband. Like hand holding and cheesy pick up lines and, I don't know, flowers.

All of those things are for that person God has for me. It's my desire, that I walk so much in his will, that I won't even "date" anyone who isn't my husband. To be so much in prayer, and to be so sensitive to the Holy Spirit, that I will know when to move forward, and when He wants me to stay put.

So, there you have it, folks. I am currently unavailable.

When I Wait, You Strengthen My Heart

I've waited a long time- 18 years and nine months, to be exact- for the man that God has for me.

Okay so in reality, it's not that long. But it feels like centuries. I'm sure you would agree if you are or have been in this situation. It's not fun, the waiting process, but it isn't something I would change, given the chance. God has taught me a lot. He's given me patience, purpose and a tender heart, and when it felt as if I couldn't stand waiting for my future husband a minute longer, He gave me strength.

In this time of waiting God has shown me who I am and how to be comfortable and confident in the shoes He's placed me in. I'm not Jamie Fox or Hayden Penettiere. I am Bailey Gundry. And that, in and of itself, gives me purpose and drive to move forward and do what God has called me, Bailey Gundry, to do.

The time in my life that will be filled with long phone calls and date nights is not, in the slightest, any more important than the time I am living right now.

While I've waited God has strengthened my faith in Him and shown me that I don't have to be loved by a man to be happy, but that I can be loved, admired, and considered lovely by the God who created me.

He wants me to Himself right now before He let's another man step in, and that's okay. It's a beautiful thing, actually. I can dance with God till the end of time and be happy right there.

God's Plan + a Step Forward = Abundantly Above

It's so easy for me to get in the woe-me mindset. To forget all that I have and all God's done for me and the blessings he has in store for me. I over think a lot of situations one situation.

He doesn't like me and probably never will, I should just move on. Is this what God has for me? What if it isn't, then I should just forget it. Out of all the ladies he has to choose from, why would he ever choose me?

It's also achieved, without great effort, to notice (as a single lady) the many looks of pity and empathy I get from family and strangers. You poor thing, they say with their eyes, What a lonely life you must lead.

But thing is, as I've been growing to notice, I'm okay with being single. More than okay, actually. I'm excited. Of course I look forward to being in a relationship, but it doesn't make that particular time of my life more important than the one I'm living today. There are times when I think God wants for me to lead a slow and steady life, but I think deep down I know that He has a big plan for me, if only I'll reach out and act. With this in mind, there's no reason for me to pity myself and spend lonely nights at my humble abode, eating ice cream as I sulk and long after a romance similar to the one being portrayed on the screen in front of me. He has a plan for me.

Big plans don't just happen over night. I mean, look at the definition of the word plan.

noun
A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something
verb
2. design or make a plan of (something to be made or built).

A proposal.

This is something God proposes that we do. It's not something that will occur by chance or force, but is something that He elaborately designed for us. It doesn't mean we have to live it out.

I don't think that God designs things half-heartedly. This is the God that designed the blade of grass, soft enough to lay on, yet sharp enough to cut. This is the God that designed the circle of life- the food chain as you may call it- where animals live, eat and die in a wondrous fashion that allows the planet to continue in motion, life and all. This is the God who created the the cell, and the atom. So small that it is entirely impossible to cut in half, but within, stems the genesis of life. This is the God who never before quite or acted on a job half heartedly, and every time, every single time, resulted in something wondrous, beyond what we could fathom.

Just like we are worth more than many sparrows, His plans for us will bring Nicholas Sparks to shame. (Which doesn't really say a lot, seeing as all his books end in tragedy). Let me rephrase; He will put Jane Austen to shame. Or maybe F. Scott Fitsg- okay never mind. You get the point.

Let me finally loop back to long forgotten point: He's a good planner.

So now, as I sit with my Ben and Jerry's and stare longingly at the TV, I remember that He has more for me than this. I glance at my bible protruding from my purse, it's turquoise color appealing to the eye. I think of the cross, Old Testament stories, and also my own.

There is a story here, I think to myself, as beautiful as the one on TV is, there is one that can bring life. I smile this time, thinking of more than just one.

I glance back down at my Bible, and with a click of the remote, it changes everything- one life or thousands, I couldn't know- as I reach down and grab it.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).

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A Different Kind of Fairytale

Okay you guys. This is the first blog post I ever wrote from February of 2012. I'm not sure why I never posted it but I'm doing it now. Some cool things actually came from this post. It was the first one that I posted on the becoming blog as a new intern. And this passage was actually printed out on paper and given to single women at a wedding. I thought that was so cool. I guess you could say this is my own little throwback Thursday. Except it's Friday so it doesn't really work. Never mind.

P.S. In the picture below is me and my sister! I'm on the left and she's on the right. Aren't we just adorable?
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So, here we are. Living in a world full of all kinds of stories and fairytales. There's a hero, a damsel in distress, and a dragon to slay. There's the guy in the hall that helps a girl with her books, and there's the classic with Cinderella and the prince desperately searching for her.

With all these beautiful love stories being crammed into our hearts, we're left asking: Where's mine?

If you're anything like me, sometimes you find it hard to believe that you can even have a love story. In books and movies, it's too good to be true, and in real life, parents are divorcing left and right. It's easier to read the novels or watch the movies because it's better than reality.

I think this is our first mistake: filling our hearts with stories that make us feel like we're missing something. I know exactly what it feels like to long for that 'significant other' -trust me- but there is something that I've realized over the past couple months and it has completely changed my perspective.

Before I start telling you about love and that it is possible, let me go on and tell you that there's this guy up in heaven who loves us to death. Literally. We all know this; we hear it all the time. But there's a big difference between knowing that God loves us and believing it. Now, I can't make you understand, but God can, and I think once we can actually believe it, our hunger for an earthly love won't be so bright. Still there, but not controlling.

Love is not a gooey feeling that you get inside. It's not floating butterflies in your tummy.

Love is an action.

When you're married (and I say this, not from experience, but from what I've heard and seen in today's culture), you're not always going to want to feel "loving" you will get in arguments and have disagreements, but to love someone is doing the right thing for them, even when you don't feel like it.

Love is kind of like faith. You can have works without faith, but not faith without works. Just like you can have an action without love, but not love without action, because if you sincerely love someone, you're going to do things for them.

And if you sincerely believe in God's vast love for insignificant, little you, then by golly, you're going to want to do everything you can for him. Not to pay him back; no, we can't do that. But because you love him, and you understand the elementary idea that he simply loves you.

Now, looking back at our little desire for a 'spousal equivalent'. Can I just say that we need to stop 'looking for love'? It doesn't sound right to me. Stop flirting and getting all up in his grill (he probably gets super annoyed).

Remember those stories and fairytales I was talking about earlier? Yeah, well, there's a funny equivalence that comes along with those, because with all the stories came a man taking action. It's the men doing the stressful work that us ladies have been trying to manage. We want to be chased, and guys want to pursue, it's like a quest for them or something.

SO LET HIM!

You may be wondering: Why the heck would I want to take relationship advice from Bailey, who hasn't even seen a handhold since a seventh grade crush? Well, that's true, BUT... I think I've got the right idea.

Stop trying to find something that you already have with God, and when the time's right, He'll send you a knight in shining armor to come sweep you off your feet, and you'll see just how real a fairytale can be.

Besides, prince charming's so over rated. I'm going to have a knight. And what do knights do?

They fight for their King.
 
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Lonely Hearts | When Will The Searching End?

For the longest time I've been waiting for some handsome prince to come and sweep me off my feet, believing that when he did, my dreams, and all that I am, will be satisfied. complete.

But I've always known this was far from the truth.

I know that God is the only one who could ever complete me. I have a whole in my heart and it's shaped like Jesus. He, and only, will ever be able to fill it. I know this, but it's never stopped me from searching for something else.

Elisabeth Elliot states in her book, Loneliness, that "marriage teaches us that even the most intimate human companionship cannot satisfy the deepest places of the heart. Our hearts  are lonely 'till they rest in Him."

I want to share with you a passage from Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones' book, Lady in Waiting:

"Incompleteness is not the result of being single, but of not being full of Jesus. Only the process of reckless abandonment to Jesus does any woman ever finally understand that, in Him, she is complete. When two "incomplete" singles get married, their union will not make them complete. Their marriage will be simply two "incomplete" people trying to find completeness in one another. Only when they understand that their fullness is found in a relationship with Jesus will they ever begin to compliment one another," (20).

So, wow. Doesn't that make so much sense? If a woman is not complete in Jesus, she "will be a drain on her husband," (20-21). I don't know about you, but I want to find all my love, acceptance, strength, dignity and honor, in Jesus Christ. If he is powerful enough to raise from the dead, I think he is powerful enough to fill our voids.

I want to be satisfied with having him, and only him. I don't want to constantly be searching for someone or something to fill me, when the truth of the matter is

It never will.

The answer is right in front of us. It always has been.

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness," (Colossians 2:9-10).

I want to spend my free hours as a single woman in a journey away from rituals and into a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. He and only He, can fulfill us. This is a good thing. No, this is a great thing. It takes a lot of the pressure off of ourselves. And also, it means that our searching?

It's over.

If you were reading this and you were thinking Hey, that's me completely. I want desperately to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ rather than looking for completion in relationships with guys, then I highly recommend this book Lady in Waiting. This book tries to direct a woman's attention to the One who really understands the longing of her heart. This book is not about finding the right man, but being the right woman. Click HERE to get the book.

It's a Fairytale Kind of Month

Whoever had the nerve to say I couldn't dance was insane. But then again I wasn't watching myself.

I had prom, grad night and a beautiful wedding to attend this past week. Man, am I tired. And oh boy, do I have a lot of pictures. This post is mostly for my own future reference, so move along or join me. Your choice.

That sounded rude. I hope you know you're welcome here. At my little pretty place.

PROM

Oh, did I feel like a princess. Not only did I have a beautiful dress, and a chauffeur (show-fur), but there was a carriage ride that lit up. It looked like it was taken straight from the story of Cinderella itself. I didn't ride in this here carriage, partly because of the never-ending line of anticipating passengers, but mostly because I honestly just wanted to rescue the darn, sad looking horse.

If I was missing anything, it was a date. So yes, if you were asking, my mom drove me to prom in her massive F250 Ford truck. At this point, I really could have used a handsome fellow to help me down.

"Do you want me to come out and help you out?" my mom offered, but oh, the shame. So yes, if you didn't already guess the outcome, my most elegant descent from the F250 Ford truck, ended with me toppling, ever so clumsily, over my pistachio colored gown.

If it was going to happen to anyone, it was going to be me and I was glad to live up to my title. It was undeniably a Bailey Gundry moment. If I learned anything that night it's that sometimes, your crush doesn't know you exist and will therefore not ask you to prom. Also, the shame of your mother helping you out of a truck at prom, just might be slightly less humiliating then the outcome of doing it alone.

but also, I learned that God's perfect timing is a beautiful thing.

The KJ Marsh Wedding

Love is in the air. And you know what I realized? I have no flirting abilities whatsoever. To be honest, the way I show affection is by running in the complete opposite direction! Oh man. I'm down here like, "God, what's taking so long?" and He's in heaven like, "Well I'm trying, but could you help me out even just a little?"

I'm hopeless. it's probably God's way of protecting me though, so I embrace it for the time being.

It was a beautiful wedding! It looks like something pulled right out of pinterest.

The beautiful couple

KJ Marsh wedding 2013



These studly men

KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 Ring security!

KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 A beautiful wedding, indeed

KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 I was her + 1

KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 Yes.

KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 So many pictures

KJ Marsh wedding 2013

 KJ Marsh wedding 2013

And at last, the verse the Lord provided me with when I needed it most:

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart," (Psalm 27:14).

Becoming Beautiful | What The Guys Think

This week I'm doing a blog series on a workshop that I recently co-taught. Topic? Becoming Beautiful. So, grab a coffee and a bible, and get comfy. These are some Godly guys that I know, and it's important for us, as young ladies and followers of Christ, to understand that not every guy out there is a jerk looking for what's only on the outside. They want a girl with a good heart.
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Life and Love

This is a crazy revelation for me.

I was always praying God would just show me who he has for me, but I don't want to know. I want to be caught off guard, realizing I'm falling in love with someone who's falling in love back. I want God to do what he does so amazingly. I want him to plan my life.

This isn't just a love story, this is my life he's planning. An unpredictable story that even the angels can't perceive. This is love and life, and somehow, while keeping the world in orbit and attending to millions of other prayers, God still finds the time to be by my side and love me were I am.

And that is the greatest love of all.

"God is Love," (1 John 4:16).

Valentines Day and My Promise of Faithfulness

So lately, I've been so busy that I would set a time and day that I was determined to write. But you see, when you go throughout your busy day and sit down just to write, nothing happens. No brilliant ideas, no insane revelation from above. Just me, my laptop, and a pile of homework that should have been done hours ago.

So here we are.

But really, I just wanted to take a minute and acknowledge Valentines Day. I mean, it's a fantastic Holiday when you're dating or married or whatever, but when you're me... well let's just say it could get ugly.

I'm single (no, that wasn't an invitation), and I try my very best to take advantage of this time, focusing on God and growing in my relationship with him. It gives me time to plan out my future and what I want to do and become. But there is always, somewhere within me, this constant longing for someone.

Someone who will care about me and love me inside and out. Someone who will want to know all the things that make me tick and what my dreams are. I want someone who is brave enough to pursue me because somehow, without even trying, I stole his heart.

And honestly, I don't think it's a bad thing. When God created the universe, there was only one thing that he said was not good.

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18).

In Hebrew, when it says helper it actually means "counterpart" or more specifically, "mate".

So you see, God created us to have someone. He even said that it was bad for us to be alone. My desire for a significant other is just part of how I was made. But I will, for the sake of my respect for my future husband and for the furthering of the kingdom of God, try my hardest to be patient for God's plans for me. (Can you say run-on sentence?)

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want," (Psalm 23:1).

Some other versions say,

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

Lately I've caught myself quoting this throughout my day, especially with Valentines Day coming up. I have everything I need. When I find someone, it will be by the grace of God. It will be a gift.

I want to will be faithful to my future husband all the days of my life, and this Valentines Day I will spend my day with the Lord. I asked him to be my valentine and he said yes. If you want to ask him too, that's totally cool. I'm willing to share if you are.