No Rain, No Flowers🌼🌧️
Cel's Recommended for April
Hey there! Welcome to Cel’s Recommended for April 🌼. This month’s edition is a gentle reminder that there is a time for everything—even the rain. Just as we experience stormy weather, we also face storms in our relationships, faith, careers and personal lives.
Inside, you’ll find four sections to explore, including a book recommendation, a YouTuber spotlight, and the Scripture and worship songs that have been on my heart this past month. I’ve linked everything for easy access—just scroll down to dive in! 😌
Disclaimer: This recommendation post is simply a way for me to share the things I love—whether it’s podcasts, creators, authors, music, or sermons. There are no sponsors, paid promotions, or affiliate links—just genuine recommendations of what I’ve listened to, read, or purchased for myself.
📘Book Recommendation
“What Will They Think?” by Grace Valentine
When I tell you I took notes and bookmarked pages the whole way through this book!! This is the first book I have read from Grace, and it was a great tool to learn more about the women recorded in the Bible.
She covers nine women in the Bible while transparently sharing her story throughout the book. Grace asks the tough questions and answers with honesty, scripture and practical application.
Here’s a quote from the book that I have marked:
“Boldness isn’t about what you do as much as why you do it. Being bold won’t truly affect your community, the world, or even your life if your intention isn’t to serve the One who walks boldly and consistently alongside you.” (Pg. 126)
Throughout the book, Grace turns your attention back to Jesus and away from wondering, worrying and overthinking in our minds to reading God’s Word and learning what He is thinking about us.
You can check out Grace’s novel here: Amazon Link
YouTuber Spotlight
Maya Graves - Motherhood | Lifestyle | Faith
I am sharing Maya’s Youtube channel because I have been watching her videos over the past few years, and it’s been a beautiful journey. Maya and her husband have always been transparent about their love for their Lord, and the love is evident in how they live their lives, raise their family, run their businesses, talk about one another and the things they have let go of along the way.
The Bible tells us in Luke 9:23-24 that as disciples of Jesus, we cannot be living for ourselves anymore; we have a cross to pick up—that we may be willing to endure and follow Christ each day:
“Then he [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
The truth is, we must be willing to lay some things down to give God our whole heart. If we're honest, there are habits, desires, mindsets, and behaviors we may be holding onto that do not please Him. But when we choose to surrender these things, we create space to grow in our relationship with God, free from the distractions that hinder us.
May you be encouraged through Maya’s testimony and wisdom above! ☺️
📖 Scripture for you to meditate on:
A Time for Everything - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 [NLT]
1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.
🎶 Album of the Month
“When Wind Meets Fire” By Elevation Worship
This is the first song on this album and has been one of my favourites. Take a listen for yourself! ☺️ I pray that you would choose to hold onto hope and believe that the Lord has a new thing coming for you this season.
Other songs on this album I’ve been listening to are:
🎧 When Wind Meets Fire (ft. Chris Brown & Tiffany Hudson)
🎧 Yahweh 🤍 We You (Elevation Worship & Joe L Barnes)
🎧 All Of A Sudden (ft. Tiffany Hudson)
💗 A Quote for you to take!
“Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”
― Langston Hughes
Before you continue with your day, I want to leave you with this thought 👇🏽Remember, we need the rain for seeds to grow and for plants and flowers to thrive. In this season of your life, there may be unexpected rainfall, but don’t worry; the surprises don't throw God off course. What we don’t expect He has already prepared for.
What a blessing these have been for me, and I hope for you, too! ✨
Ways to Support
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