Customer Reviews

The Life of a Lily: Growing in His Strength, Blooming in His Love

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The life of a Lily by Lily L. Ratliff is a must read! There is a certain sadness and awareness that the writer approached, caressed and owned in penning this story of her life. Meet Lily the product of two people who did not know how to love or take care of each other. Once Lily's mother felt abandoned by the love of her life, she no longer cared if her baby lived or died. Born into this world prematurely, at three pounds, Lily proved to be a fighter from the very beginning and she has shown over time that she is indeed here for a reason.

I read this short autobiography in one sitting; where I found myself laughing, crying, concerned and full of every emotion possible. This is not a book for the weak at heart, because you will be forced to feel and walk in Lily's shoes as she candidly talks about her childhood. Where she fights for attention from her mother, not knowing her father and worshipping her grandparents. Ms. Ratliff has bared her soul and has come out on top after the grueling ordeal that she faced growing up, she was able to repair herself mentally and physically.

She is a breath of fresh air-- here to let you know that you are not alone no matter how you feel. That you can not let anyone guide you, destroy you, or kill your dreams because when you are at your lowest all you have to do is call out to God and he is always on time. I recommend this book to readers of all genres! And I look forward to reading more from Ms. Ratliff in the near future!

Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

"The Life of a Lily" was a poignant tale. The author opened her heart and shared her life experiences with the reader. What I liked about the book was that the author did not sugarcoat her actions. When she was wrong, she took responsibility for her behavior. She gave readers insight into her strained relationships with her parents and half siblings. For me, the overall message of the book was forgiveness. This book was a quick and easy ready with a powerful message. I recommend it.

Sometimes heartwarming and sometimes heartrending, 'The Life of a Lily' is a fast-paced true-to-life account that is sure to open its readers eyes to what it genuinely means to be a human flower, nurtured by the hands of God.


National bestselling author,
Kendra Norman-Bellamy

Rarely have I picked up any book and read it in one night. The Life of a Lily captured me and wouldn't let go. This triumphant story proves that no matter what happens on life's journey, divine strength can challenge it and win. This uncovering of one of God's precious children was emotional, shocking, and most of all inspiring.When you think life's trials have defeated you, pick up your copy of The Life of a Lily. It will prove that the Lord will make a way somehow. I look forward to enjoying Lily's future work. Thank you for inspiring!!!!

THE LIFE OF LILY( GROWING IN HIS STRENGTH, BLOOMING IN HIS LOVE) BY LILY L. RATLIFF IS A GOOD READ FOR A AUTOBIOGRAPHY. THE STORY IS ABOUT HOW THE AUTHOR GREW UP AND THE AFFECT IT HAD ON HER LIFE.. IT TALKS ABOUT HOW HER OWN MOTHER DIDN'T WANT HER AND HOW HER GRANDMOTHER TOOK HER IN. SHE ALSO HAD A BROTHER THAT SHE DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO GROW UP WITH.IT ALSO TOLD HOW NAIVE SHE WAS IN CERTAIN WAYS. WITH EVERYTHING GOING IN HER LIFE SHE STILL REMEMBERED THAT THEIR IS A GOD. HE HELP HER GET THROUGH MANY OBSTACLES IN HER LIFE.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS A HEART TOUCHING STORY. IT SHOWS YOU THAT WITH BELIEVING IN THE LORD OR WHO EVER YOU BELIEVE IN YOU WILL TURN OUT FINE. I WAS HAPPY THAT MS. RATLIFF HAD HER GRANDMOTHER WHO SHOWED HER NOTHING BUT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

4 STAR REVIEW BY RASHEEMAH AKA MISTIC

Lily Ratliff tells the story of her life thus far. Virtually abandoned by her mother and father she is raised by her grandmother and grandfather. This was my first contemporary memoir of an African American young woman. I appreciate her honest and ease of story telling.

There are a few issues I wish she would have addressed. Lily never said how she felt about her mother keeping her brother in her household and not keeping Lily. Lily describes her childhood as being very protected and devoutly religious. . I can relate to that. Lily didn't seem to feel angered at being kept in the dark about family matters. Lily also didn't write her brother who got himself in trouble, had six children by two different women yet still preached the bible to those who would listen.

If anything, those that read Lily can use this book as an example how to write their own memoir. We all have stories and they are all very valuable. I thank Ms. Ratliff for sharing. The prayer for readers at the end of the book was a highlight.

In a world where most are ashamed of troubled times in their past, Lily proved that transparency is the most important factor of using words to inspire and motivate. Before reading this book, I assummed it would be a chronological listing of a woman's steps to accepting God. After reading this book, I realized my assumption was all wrong. Lily shows the world that life is not always peaches and creme. Even though her story is her own, it reflects a lot of trials and tribulations women around the world face daily. She not only told of her trials, but showed how God is always there to pick us up when we fall. She showed how forgiving God can be and how even the most impossible situations in life can be conquered with a strong foundation in God and a desire to choose God's will for our life. This story not only brought tears, joy, and laughter, but inspiration. One of my life's goals is to one day be able to tell of my own story and Lily's transparency in how detailed she was in revealing her past reminded me that the impact of my story among future readers is based on how transparent I allow myself to be. In her transparency, she allowed readers to not only connect with her but connect with an awesome God who has remained by her side through all her ups and downs. This book is truly a blessing and I recommend it to women and men of all ages.

The life of a Lily is a must read! This book is an inspiring short autobiography in which the author discusses her life from childhood to adulthood. While reading this book I found myself on an emotional roller coaster,which however made me laugh,cry,happy, and sad. Overall, the story itself was a powerful message to let us know that whenever life brings you down remember God is always on time. I look forward to ready more books from this talented author.

Nonfiction/Spiritual Growth

Ratliff has penned an inspiring, true to life story.
Fans of Stormie Omartian, Juanita Bynum and Joyce Meyer
will feel a sense of renewed faith in Jeremiah 29:11,
and that is, God has a plan for your life.

Easy to read, but hard to put down, The Life of a Lily: Growing in His Strength, Blooming in His Love is highly recommended for all women ages 16 and over.

With thousands of young women being negatively influenced in today's society, this is a must read for every teen and young adult, those in your care and those in the foster care system you may be inspired to buy for and donate to. Lives will change!


Happy reading!

Reviewed by: Marina Woods for GoodGirlBookClubOnline & Good Girl Magazine

Lily Ratliff shares her life story and her journey to a closer relationship with God in THE LIFE OF A LILY: Growing in His Strength, Blooming in His Love. Lily, who is only in her thirties has lived through quite a number of difficulties. To start, she was born during a time when her parents' relationship was at its worst. Her mother was severely depressed as a result of her failing marriage and her husband's violence and as a result Lily was born underweight and with numerous health challenges. After her health failed to really improve, Lily's grandparents decided to have her live with them, but a visit to the doctor confirmed the poor state of her health and offered a poor prognosis. God had a different plan and despite the doctors' predictions that Lily would live a short life, slowly but surely, she began to thrive.

Though Lily overcame many of her early health challenges and was well cared for by her grandparents, she carried emotional wounds throughout most of her life. She had no real relationship with her father and not much of a relationship with her mother and as a result, she struggled with feelings of resentment and rejection. By college, these sometimes subconscious feelings often led to poor decision making despite the firm foundation provided by her grandparents. Eventually this led to failed relationships and marriages and Lily couldn't have been farther away from God. However, as she struggled, she began to pray and her relationship with God deepened, though she continued to struggle with life's challenges, relationships, the loss of a sibling, and even post-partum depression and mother hood, she was changed because she finally began to deal with her past and rely on God.

THE LIFE OF A LILY is a short read in which the authors share her journey with other readers in an effort to show how God worked in her life. The book is more a series of vignettes than the complete story and many of the chapters include scripture references. Though Lily's story is deeply personal and I respect her for choosing to share it with readers, I often found myself wanting to know more details and wanting her to delve deeper into the emotions she experienced. In spite of this THE LIFE OF A LILY will remind readers that God's power is not limited by our human frailties and through him we can overcome.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers