The Lily Letters

One of my class's favorite song that we like to sing at the end of the day is called "Stop and Go" by Yancy. The lyrics are "Stop and listen to what God says, Go and do what he tells you to do". But sometimes for us, it can be hard to do what he tells us to do when we feel like we don't have directions. We hear from Jesus to "Therefore go and nmake disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), but what happens when we have that fear? When we delight in the Lord, our steps are made firm by the Lord (Psalms 37:23). Also, we know that we can be strong and courageous and do not have to be afraid or discouraged because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9). In a prayer by Peter and John with the chief priests and elders, they asked God to make them bold to speak God's word (Acts 4:29-31). When it might be difficult to spread the gospel, be encouraged by Paul...

Devo #1: A Green Gables Summit "Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you” When Claire shared the Summit theme with me a few weeks ago, I quite literally squealed with glee because Anne of Green Gables was a cherished imaginary friend for me throughout my childhood. Lucy Maud Montgomery is a storyteller unlike any other. In her books you will not find chaotic twists and turns, nor will you discover psychological or historical stories with high stakes. No, instead you will be immersed into the loveliest, quaintest story about a little orphan girl who simply lives genuinely and propitiously. If Anne Shirley were to transform into an inanimate object - she would be rose-colored glasses. Anne continuously chooses to see the world as wonderful, and consistently works to find the good in whatever her circumstances are. I have a daughter, Cora, who (through no fault of her own, bless her) is the exact opposite of Anne Shirley. She is chemically wi...

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” A Season of Shifting Transition is often uncomfortable—not because we’re doing something wrong, but because we’re growing. As alumnae who once wore letters on our backs and now carry the mission forward through leadership and legacy, we live in the space between what was and what’s next. Whether we’re beginning a new board year, welcoming new voices into the conversation, or carrying out the dreams of the women who came before us, we are navigating holy ground. Change requires courage. It takes faith to step out when the future is not fully formed and strength to keep going when the path feels uncertain. But this truth remains: God is not overwhelmed by our unknowns. God’s Strength, Not Ours In Isaiah 41:10, God doesn’t suggest that we might get help. He promises it. He tells us not to fear, n...

I don’t know about you but I can tell you in the time that I’m writing this devotional, at the beginning of a new calendar year, I am STRESSED OUT. Whether you are someone who follows New Years’ Resolutions or are like me and try to just make a renewed effort to put your best foot forward again, I think the beginning of the year can feel like so much pressure to set out to accomplish something ‘impressive’ for the year to come. If you are someone reading this now and thinking to yourself ‘I gave up ____’ or ‘I started working out and now I work out every day’ I am so incredibly happy for you and I promise there will still be something here for you if you continue to read on! All of that to say, in the stress of life, we can settle and develop routines to make sure we don’t forget anything, meet our recurring deadlines, make it to God’s house every week to check back in, and roll out our trashcans every Tuesday morning so we don’t have to figure out where the trash bags will go when...

Yvette Fay November Devotional 2024 Beta Chapter - App State University “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get swept up in the big challenges or desires that overshadow the little blessings in our daily lives. Sometimes, we find it hard to be thankf when things don’t go as planned, when life feels overwhelming, or when we face situations that seem too small or insignificant to acknowledge. But God calls us to give thanks in a circumstances—not just when things are going well, but even when the small inconveniences or challenges test our patience and faith. I’ve been fighting to accept even the smallest things as a victim of Hurricane Helene. My ho in Avery County was destroyed, along with my little, Layla Phillips’ home in Burnsville. Through this devastation, we’ve leaned on each other more than ever. Our small text messages over the past month have been one of the bigge...

The art of Solitude Psalms 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[a] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[b] for his name's sake.” Back in January, I had the most spontaneous idea ever. I decided to book a hotel room away from my parents for the weekend for Valentine's day. This specific resort may or may not have been next to my house. During that weekend I was able to reflect and hear more from God and also relax from being busy with my job and school. There were different times where Jesus took time alone to pray and to spend time with God. This introduced the spiritual discipline of solitude, where we intentionally withdraw ourselves from our daily routines to focus on God. Richard J. Foster states that Solitude can help: 1. Free us from distractions 2. Find our true selves 3. Communicate with God 4. Develop Hope. Some simple ways we can practice solit...

The following devotional is adapted from a sermon titled "That All My Know," given by Rev. Jennifer Mullins at Gayton Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia on October 13, 2024: Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:32-37; 41-50 David and Goliath is one of the top recognizable stories around the world, whether in secular or religious circles. So recognizable that it is a popular trope in pop culture. For example, have you ever seen or heard a story or show that depicts: The little guy standing up to a bully... A ragtag, underdog team winning the championship against the favored yet despised team... A small lawyer winning a case for a small town against a large corporation... These are the David and Goliath stories we all know. We love the fearful becoming courageous, the weak becoming strong. After all, we want the giants in our own lives to fall. It inspires us. Yet this is not the actual point of David and Goliath. Instead, here are 4 major lessons more importantly gleaned fr...