What happens when God interrupts your comfortable college life with an unexpected divine encounter? For Bailey Johnson, a single phone call changed everything when a stranger prayed over her, revealing intimate details of her life that no one could have known.
Bailey's journey from softball player to spiritual seeker unfolds as she candidly shares the messy reality of finding faith in college—those exhilarating early days of devotion followed by difficult seasons where she felt torn between her newfound faith and campus social pressures. With refreshing honesty, she describes attending church hungover, questioning if God even wanted her there, and the shame that often followed these contradictions.
When an unexpected pregnancy during her senior year left Bailey facing motherhood alone, her faith was tested in profound ways. Now raising a two-year-old son, she reflects on how parenting has become one of her greatest spiritual teachers: "He speaks to me through my kid like no other." This transformative experience led her to create both a 21-day devotional called "Desiring Him" and launch the "Coffee Christ in Real Life" podcast, where she interviews fellow believers about their authentic faith journeys.
What makes Bailey's testimony so compelling is her willingness to acknowledge the non-linear nature of spiritual growth. "You're going to go through different seasons of being super on fire for God, and you're going to go through seasons where you feel really far away," she explains, offering encouragement to listeners navigating similar challenges. Her powerful reminder that "good fruit takes time" creates space for those wrestling with their own inconsistent spiritual journeys.
Whether you're a longtime believer, someone curious about faith, or somewhere in between, Bailey's story demonstrates how God pursues us even when we're running in the opposite direction. Her journey reminds us that transformation isn't about perfection but about keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus through every valley and mountaintop.
Ready to hear more authentic faith stories? Follow Bailey's podcast "Coffee Christ and RealLife" on Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify, and be sure to subscribe to Life Beside Christ for more conversations that bring faith into everyday life.
Find them here!
Instagram: @coffee.christ.and.reallife
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1mTS8OS0pwOuhQFAvVTJ9t?si=028f1196f0454d1f
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeChristRealLife
We love hearing from our listeners whether it's criticism, advice, or just thoughts on the conversation we had. Find us or reach out to us here:
•Email: lifebesidechristpod@gmail.com
•Instagram: @lifebesidechristpodcast
•Intro/Outro Music: "Our Days" by David Hays
