The Lily Letters

“Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” - Esther 4:14 We all are familiar with the story of Esther who is most commonly known as the queen who saved her nation, but there is so much more to this strong and independent woman. Esther had two options, keep her head down and play it safe, or she could stand up for her people risking her position. Esther risked her crown and chose to save her people, she knew that standing up for her people who faced discrimination and death was more important than a position of power. And she knew that speaking up was a greater good and worth risking her life. God placed this strong woman in the right place at the right time in order to save an entire nation. We may at times feel lost and uncertain. We pray that God will give us a direction, we pray for guidance that the path we’ve chosen is the right one, we pray to feel important, and to feel needed, we pray for a purpose. Like Esther, it is important that we trust that God h...

November doesn't have the monopoly on "thankfulness." Cultivating a spirit of thankfulness is not only a good idea around the table at Turkey Day, but it is also one of the Lord's commandment to live a life of thankfulness during whatever season we find ourselves. No matter our circumstances, God calls us in both the Old and New Testament to praise him and thank him for his provision. The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 17 tells us about Jesus healing many men afflicted with leprosy: Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samar...

I recently saw this quote, "No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending" (Unknown). I really began to think about that statement. The conclusion was that we don't start over; but we begin again right where we are, making things better in our lives. As a believer in Christ, it is not about saying I will do this and I won't do that and then dropping the idea or falling short. It is more about asking the Lord to help us each day, to fall deeper and deeper in love with Him. This way our focus will be set on the things of heaven and not on all this earthly stuff. If I were to make a New Year resolution, it would be to have a deeper commitment, a deeper love, and a deeper worship for the Lord. In the beginning of this past year, He spoke to me in that still small voice in prayer and said, "I am more than enough. I am more than enough in every area of your life." He also said to tell others the same thing. ...

Instagram User @emilyloibissio shares a Theta Class pin from the Alpha Chapter We are celebrating Founders' Day (January 5th) all month long! Keep sharing posts under the hashtags #happyfoundersdaysao and #19yearsandcounting! Consider making a $19 donation in commemoration for our 19th birthday as a sisterhood, and, SOMEONE gets a birthday surprise--an Elizabeth Arden travel kit! Donate HERE . Here are some awesome pictures and quotes from some of our sisters celebrating across the USA--and world! From Instagram User @appstate_sao From Instagram User @britni.parker of ΒΓ Chapter

Psalm 86, a psalm of David. The Message translation: 1-7 Bend an ear, God; answer me.     I’m one miserable wretch! Keep me safe—haven’t I lived a good life?     Help your servant—I’m depending on you! You’re my God; have mercy on me.     I count on you from morning to night. Give your servant a happy life;     I put myself in your hands! You’re well-known as good and forgiving,     bighearted to all who ask for help. Pay attention, God, to my prayer;     bend down and listen to my cry for help. Every time I’m in trouble I call on you,     confident that you’ll answer. 8-10 There’s no one quite like you among the gods, O Lord,     and nothing to compare with your works. All the nations you made are on their way,     ready to give honor to you, O Lord, Ready to put your beauty on display,     parading your greatness, And the great things you do—     God...

The following devotional is from setapartgirl.com: LIFE OF A LEAF by  Heather Cofer  |  November 14, 2014 I was sitting in my living room one sunshiny day a couple of weeks ago, looking out our window at the changing leaves—soaking up all the beauty of fall. I began pondering autumn, and what it means when the leaves begin changing color. It means they are beginning to die. “Only God,” I thought, “would be able to design something that is dying to be so beautiful.” In the spring, the leaf begins budding with the excitement of new life; it grows and matures until it is a full [leaf?]. Then, as summer comes to an end, it turns a brilliant yellow or red or orange, going out in magnificent splendor before finally falling to the ground, where it becomes nutrients for the tree to produce more healthy and beautiful leaves the next year. This holds so many parallels to the life of a Christian. We have such a short season on earth, but we have a specific purpose and call...

Recently I was given the task of giving the devo for our Fall National Board Summit, held in no other than, my current hometown, Greenville, NC. Anyone who knows me, and this town, knows that it 1) is centered around ECU 2) bleeds purple and gold and 3) is full of passion, pride, and spirit for all things pertaining to the Pirates. I often joke that my chapter “doesn’t fall far from the tree” (me). They are ALWAYS pumped up and go full force 110% into whatever they are doing. Which, if you know me at all, is exactly how I am as well. So I took this devo super serious and took it upon myself to get everyone PUMPED UP for the year to come. PUMPED for how our chapters are going to reach people for Jesus. PUMPED for all the lives that will be impacted and transformed along the way. And PUMPED for just all that SAO stands for and the passion these fearless leaders have to lead their chapters with grace and wisdom. So bring it into the huddle...we’re gonna be ALL IN this year. You with ...