He's Working of Your Behalf

Today's Scripture:

“We know that God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Today's Word:
God is working behind the scenes in your life, today. No matter what you may be facing, no matter what trial you may be going through, God has a plan to turn things around in your favor. Right now, He is working out a plan for your good. Right now, He is orchestrating the right people to come across your path. He is orchestrating the right opportunities to open up to you. You may not see it in the natural, but look with your eyes of faith today.

Keep standing. Keep believing. Keep hoping. Keep following His Word. Focus on His goodness in your life, knowing that He rewards the people who seek after Him. As you meditate on the faithfulness of God and show your love for Him by following His Word, you will see His plan come to pass. You’ll experience His peace and joy. and you will live in victory all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength and peace today and fill me with Your faith to overcome. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Season of Elevation

I am truly excited of this season in my life and I had to share it with you! This past weekend marked a new pinnacle of purpose in me that still has me in awe as I reflect today. When God told me I would preach and teach the gospel back in 2001, I didn't know the impact of this charge on my life until now! Everyone, on March 21, 2010, I was elevated and ordained into the position of Elder, and affirmed as an Evangelist and Teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, through my covering, Pastor/Prophet Nathan L. Mitchell, from Resurrection Life Kingdom Church in Richmond, VA.

What exciting time in the Lord, as the pastor imparted to us and charged us to go forth in the ministry! Lives were changed as I, Shalita Parks of Tampa, FL, Dr. Davie Wright of Washington, DC, Lady Keisha Mitchell and Nathan Phillips all were elevated as Elders and Deacon, respectively.

I praise God for seeing fit to prepare and position me in this hour and with all of that said, "It is time to go to work!"

Please welcome me as I announce to you my ministry, "A Heart of Hope Ministries International" and annual conference, "A Lily Among Thorns Conference and Spiritual Retreat" coming in October to Gatlinburg, TN. I'm so excited as I know lives will be changed, healed and delivered by bringing them to a place from the "Ordinary to the Extraordinary!" Like that conference theme? Get ready, because the next move of God is on the way!



Blessings everyone!

March 21, 2010, A Life-Changing Event Takes Place

Thanks to everyone for your love, prayers, and constant support~~ Praise God for the elevation!

2010-The Year of Promise and Promotion!

Happy New Year Everyone! 2010 means many things to many people. For me, it's the year of promise and promotion! Hopefully during last year, you've set up some things. Let me explain: On your job, you should have laid some foundations, made some connections, put your best foot forward to show your colleagues that you have the skill set it takes to push your company or organization to the next level. All the while, you kept a smile on your face, didn't ruffle any feathers, but let your actions speak louder than words. You understand?

Maybe in your relationships, whether business or familiar, you've helped others along the way who were down and out, needed a place to stay, or a little extra to get them through until next pay day, or better yet, gave them advice for a major problem they were having. All the while, you continued to smile, even though deep down inside you were crying on the inside needing someone else to give you a helping hand.

But understand that in your patience and overwhelming love for someone else, God has counted all of your tears, has seen what you've put your hands to at your job, and in the community, knowing you never wanted anything in return.

Now in 2010, my friends, God is getting ready to do more than you could even ask or think! Hallelujah! You are being set up for the Promise and the Promotion. For as we know, Promotion doesn't come from man, but from the Lord (Psalms 75:6-7)! Keep on keeping on! Continue to put a smile on your face, for God is going to come through for you!

I know as I look back to 2009, I've had some down times in some areas of business, but I've had some extraordinary times in other areas. I had to decide that with all of the hats that I wear, which hat(s) could I put down and which ones do to hold on to in order to focus my efforts on things that gave me the most enjoyment, and where my gifts and talents really were. By doing that, I found myself many times with Favor from God and Man! I praise God for that because now within weeks, God is going to elevate me even further!

So get ready everyone! Change is coming and you are about to embark on an incredible journey this year that you will look back on and get excited about all over again! Happy New Year and God Bless!

A Thanksgiving Story

A Thanksgiving Story
Author: Andrea Nannette Mejia

It was the day before Thanksgiving ­ the first one my three children and I would be spending without their father, who had left several months before. Now the two older children were very sick with the flu, and the eldest had just been prescribed bed rest for a week.

It was a cool, gray day outside, and a light rain was falling. I grew wearier as I scurried around, trying to care for each child: thermometers, juice, diapers. And I was fast running out of liquids for the children. But when I checked my purse, all I found was about $2.50 ­ and this was supposed to last me until the end of the month. That's when I heard the phone ring.

It was the secretary from our former church, and she told me that they had been thinking about us and had something to give us from the congregation. I told her that I was going out to pick up some more juice and soup for the children, and I would drop by the church on my way to the market.

I arrived at the church just before lunch. The church secretary met me at the door and handed me a special gift envelope. "We think of you and the kids often," she said, "and you are in our hearts and prayers. We love you." When I opened the envelope, I found two grocery certificates inside. Each was worth $20. I was so touched and moved, I broke down and cried.

"Thank you very much," I said, as we hugged each other. "Please give our love and thanks to the church." Then I drove to a store near our home and purchased some much-needed items for the children.

At the check-out counter I had a little over $14.00 worth of groceries, and I handed the cashier one of the gift certificates. She took it, then turned her back for what seemed like a very long time. I thought something might be wrong. Finally I said, "This gift certificate is a real blessing. Our former church gave it to our family, knowing I'm a single parent trying to make ends meet."

The cashier then turned around, with tears in her loving eyes, and replied, "Honey, that's wonderful! Do you have a turkey?"

"No. It's okay because my children are sick anyway."

She then asked, "Do you have anything else for Thanksgiving dinner?"

Again I replied, "No."

After handing me the change from the certificate, she looked at my face and said, "Honey, I can't tell you exactly why right now, but I want you to go back into the store and buy a turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie or anything else you need for a Thanksgiving dinner."

I was shocked, and humbled to tears. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes! Get whatever you want. And get some Gatorade for the kids."

I felt awkward as I went back to do more shopping, but I selected a fresh turkey, a few yams and potatoes, and some juices for the children. Then I wheeled the shopping cart up to the same cashier as before. As I placed my groceries on the counter, she looked at me once more with giant tears in her kind eyes and began to speak.

"Now I can tell you. This morning I prayed that I could help someone today, and you walked through my line." She reached under the counter for her purse and took out a $20 bill. She paid for my groceries and then handed me the change. Once more I was moved to tears.

The sweet cashier then said, "I am a Christian. Here is my phone number if you ever need anything." She then took my head in her hands, kissed my cheek and said, "God bless you, honey."

As I walked to my car, I was overwhelmed by this stranger's love and by the realization that God loves my family too, and shows us his love through this stranger's and my church's kind deeds.

The children were supposed to have spent Thanksgiving with their father that year, but because of the flu they were home with me, for a very special Thanksgiving Day. They were feeling better, and we all ate the goodness of the Lord's bounty ­ and our community's love. Our hearts were truly filled with thanks.


"Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone, from my family...to yours!"

God's Message to Women

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.

Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.

The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes - don't change them. Your lips how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form, your hands so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep; I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day and yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you: my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.

You are special because you are the extension of me. Man represents my image - woman, my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

So man - treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart, the heart of your Father, and the heart of her Father.

Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.

Did you not know that WOMAN was so special in God's eyes? Now we really know! Hallelujah!!

What a long time coming...Huh!

Well, well, well...it's truly been a while since I've come up for air to post another update in the Life of Lily. I've missed you guys and only no one but God Himself, has sustained me. But nonetheless, I'm back and ready to embark on a continued journey of events, victories, and revelations that I hope will be a blessing for you as well.

What's been happening to me lately? Well, I have taken a hiatus from the literary world and have focused on my day job: teaching our youth. But during these last two months, God has opened up the gates of Heaven and poured out many blessings! First, I was awarded and given the title of Standards-Based Model Classroom Teacher! Teachers and district personnel come through for observations, workshops and seminars with me on Best Practices and Teacher Assessment and Learning. How did all of this occur? A few months at the end of the school year, I was observed by district personnel, and one day via email, it was announced that I displayed excellence in teaching, and wanted to compensate me by not only giving me this role, but also be given the opportunity to go to any conference FREE, in the continental United States! So in October I will be flying out to Washington, DC, to the Annual Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development's Conference-all expenses paid! What an honor!

God said, He would give you favor with man! I praise God that I can use my hands, and what I do with them for HIM, gives HIM the glory! But that's not all, now the District Office calls me to help with other district workshops, and expertise that I never thought possible. And I'm also up for another promotion. (Shhhh, don't tell anyone). I'm just claiming it now. But I have an interview on Sept. 28th!

Next, a few months back, as my first children's book was released, I got in touch with a charity called EMBRACE, which is a Georgia Foster Care Initiative that trains and mentors potential foster parents. Since I'm an adopted child, and my main character in the book, "An Act of Forgiveness" is a foster child, I wanted to find a way to use my book to give back to the community, and hence this charity. Well, it turned out very well, and all was benefited. A friend of mine, shortly thereafter ran across a contest called "The Pine sol Powerful Difference Contest." It's a contest honoring women who have made a Powerful Difference in their community. Well, my friend nominated me, and GUESS WHAT? I was a winner! Not the Grand Prize, but First Place, which entitled my charity to win $2000 and I to be featured in an upcoming issue of EBONY MAGAZINE (December issue).

So as you can see, I've been busy in so many ways. And I'm sorry to not have been more active with my blog. A lot of reflecting have been going into my business and writing career. All I can say is that a HUGE SALE will be taking place, bigger than the one you see on http://www.everythingthatslily.com now (presently at 40% off until end of the month). More details will come as to the reason for the sale and what to look out for! Be sure to tell all of your friends and family about it!

Know that I love you, and look for future posts to warm the heart and bless your spirit!

In God's Grace,