#sistersofinfluence: Bailey Hurley

Friends, today I am so excited to introduce you to my sweet friend Bailey Hurley! She's a writer and a mama to the sweetest little boy, and fun fact: we met on Instagram! How fun is that? She's doing great things around the internet, friends. Just last month, she released her first work guide called Creating Space to Connect, which is all about helping women create meaningful friendships. We could all use more of those in our lives. :) Bailey is kind, thoughtful, and considerate. I'll let her tell you a little more about herself: 

Tell us about yourself. Who are you?

I’m Bailey T. Hurley. I’m a blogger and writer that finds inspiration through my relationships with the Lord, family, and friends. My desire is to mentor women through the written word by speaking capital ‘T’ truth into everyday realities and helping them build relationships rooted in Christ

I live in Denver, CO with my husband, Tim, and my son, Hunter. When I am not writing, you can find me binge-eating popcorn or dancing around the kitchen with my son. I thrive off of good books, time with my family, adventures outside, and creatively loving others.

How did you come to know the Lord?

In middle school a friend I admired was a Christian and she invited me to attend youth group with her. Through her love in friendship and hearing the gospel preached, it was a no-brainer…Jesus was all I wanted. Thankful for people who are bold enough to love in truth and in deed. 

What do you think it means to be a woman of influence right where you are?

I’m a Millennial. We are all about changing the world and becoming the next Instagram sensation. But, that is not my life. My influence is in my home, my neighborhood, and the community God has gifted me with. I think being a woman of influence is embracing your small corner of the world and knowing that God is using you exactly as He planned it. Delighting in God’s plan is a change-the-world kind of attitude.

How does the Lord allow you to shine His light through your blogging and creative endeavors?

Let me get honest really quick. If I could choose to do anything, it wouldn’t be writing. There have been tearful prayers asking God to make me anything but what I am. Yet, I feel purposeful when I am helping women experience healthy community.

These days, it’s easy to get caught up in what other creatives are doing and want to keep up. I try to be faithful to the endeavors God calls me to pursue and humbly say no to endeavors that distract from God’s mission for my life.

What is the best piece of marriage advice you have been given?

Our relationship has changed a lot since having a kid. Some advice we received is to not feel ashamed or guilty for having date nights. They are everything! We just reissued date nights about a month ago and our relationship has thrived from making that time set apart for just us.

Additionally, it’s important to support married couples in your community by holding them accountable to date nights. And if they need help to get out of the house, then help them. Marriage is one of the biggest examples of the gospel and our commitment is countercultural to a world that sees a lot of divorce. So protect marriage. Go on dates.

What is one thing you want the women of our generation to remember?

Remember that there is enough to go around. We don’t need to put others down to make ourselves feel better. Every woman can be celebrated for their giftedness, success and beauty. Your legacy isn’t left in what you’ve accomplished, but in what you have done to help those around you make a difference.

What is your favorite verse or passage of Scripture?

John 15:1-17 I am the True Vine. I am an over-achiever, a doer. This passage gives me such peace and empowers my mission to love others.

To love others, you have to start with spending time with Love Himself. The passage talks about abiding in God to bear good fruit because without Him, you can’t do anything. All my effort and striving would produce nothing if it wasn’t grounded in God. And he WANTS to bear fruit through us! How amazing is that? He chose us participate in His work on earth so that “[God’s] joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (v. 11).

What is one truth you want others to remember and cling to?

I don’t mean to be a downer but, the Christian life is balance of joy and suffering. Life is hard, circumstances feel unfair, and our hearts are discouraged. I know that I certainly go through cycles of hardship and trials. Yet, remember that there is a living hope in Christ’s salvation. And, we inherit this living hope that is IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED and UNFADING (1 Peter 1:3-5). Even though times are tough, we can still find joy in our eternal inheritance.

And last but not least: coffee or tea?

Tea, all day! I probably drink too much tea but my recent favorite is this Coconut Oolong Tea from the Tea Spot. I don't even touch coffee. Sorry, coffee lovers.

You can find Bailey on her blog and on Instagram. :)