Revealing the Path of Truth- John 8:31-32
ROSIE M. HILL
PUBLISHED AUTHOR AND SPEAKER
​
There I was, a four-year-old girl, enjoying myself immensely. The sun was sparkling as I pranced around the dusty alley outside the apartment when, suddenly, something happened that was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It brought joy to my heart. A stranger spoke to me and gave me a gift I will never forget. He was wearing a suit, a blue suit, I think. He was a white man who recognized me, a colored girl, playing by myself and, to my surprise, he was kind to me.
​
“Where are your parents?” he asked.
​
“Up there,” I responded as I pointed to our apartment on the second floor. While he was talking to me, I felt the sincerity of his kind words, the joy of his smile, and the thought that he found favor in me. I didn’t understand why. He then asked me if he could take my picture. Without hesitation and with a big smile I said yes. He took my picture with a Polaroid camera and gave it to me. I had never seen anything like that before. It was amazing!
After he talked to my mother, she laughed and told me he wanted to take us to Hollywood—all of us—my mother, sister, and brother because he wanted me to be on television. Just like the Little Rascal’s, I thought. But my mother said “No,” and that was final. I was sad, but I understood when Mama explained herself: “It would not be fair for everybody to have to move out of town because he wants you to be a star. He probably wants you to be on that program like Our Gang/The Little Rascals.” That program aired from 1922–1944. No matter what his motives were, his actions brought so much joy to my heart that day. And the memory of the picture he gave me is a gift I will always cherish
But my family situation was different; it was horrific. To endure the suffering, I realized I needed to talk to the One who created me and the whole world. I was sure He was the only one who could help me. I told Him what was happening in my life, and I boldly asked Him why He allowed me to be born. He responded, and I heard Him clearly within my heart. He said that He loved me, and He told me exactly what to do: “Go to church and learn about me,” He said. I responded with some questions: “Who will comb my hair; who will iron my clothes?” He said, “Go as you are.” And that is exactly what I did. Oh, the peace I felt within as I trusted Him to cover me with His love, which was the lifelong protection I so desperately needed.
Growing up, I remember drastic changes in my life; survival became the game I had to play. Time and time again despicable thoughts overwhelmed my heart, mind, and soul. I was confused and disheartened but resilient. I realized I was not alone in the game of survival. I knew that many people were angry and discontented and were fighting and hurting each other. I realized there are times when they simply don’t understand who is speaking to their minds and pulling them into the depths of deception. Certainly, many of them are clueless about the cause of their plight. I began to understand the answers that only my Father could have revealed to me. The facts were mounting and revealing the path of truth. He was covering me with His grace and mercy.
I prayed for a husband whom God would choose as my soul mate, and my life has never been the same. With David as my helper, I pursued my calling, and the road ahead became clear. I learned the truth, became free, and earned a college degree in addition to three national certifications as a neurodiagnostic technologist. I then graduated from the Shepherd School of Ministry and wrote four books that were very well received. Finally, my husband and I confounded the Fruit of Forgiveness Ministry.
I began praying about my books. What should the titles be? I asked God about each one, and each time He revealed the titles to me. Before completing the last book, I noticed a common theme: coverings. In each book I could see covers of darkness and covers of light. It was crystal clear to me the many coverings people wear. Some coverings divide, some deceive, some distract, and some destroy. Conversely, other coverings provide shelter to protect us from the storms of life.
And like many other times in my life, God gave me the idea for my memoir, The Covering, and I knew it was from Him. To that end, I asked Him for knowledge and wisdom to teach about the pathway to truth. He has placed these principles in my life to serve humanity until the day I die, or until Jesus comes to take me home, a gift far greater than a Polaroid picture or even becoming a Hollywood star.
There I was, a four-year-old girl, enjoying myself immensely. The sun was sparkling as I pranced around the dusty alley outside the apartment when, suddenly, something happened that was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It brought joy to my heart. A stranger spoke to me and gave me a gift I will never forget. He was wearing a suit, a blue suit, I think. He was a white man who recognized me, a colored girl, playing by myself and, to my surprise, he was kind to me.
​
“Where are your parents?” he asked.
​
“Up there,” I responded as I pointed to our apartment on the second floor. While he was talking to me, I felt the sincerity of his kind words, the joy of his smile, and the thought that he found favor in me. I didn’t understand why. He then asked me if he could take my picture. Without hesitation and with a big smile I said yes. He took my picture with a Polaroid camera and gave it to me. I had never seen anything like that before. It was amazing!
After he talked to my mother, she laughed and told me he wanted to take us to Hollywood—all of us—my mother, sister, and brother because he wanted me to be on television. Just like the Little Rascal’s, I thought. But my mother said “No,” and that was final. I was sad, but I understood when Mama explained herself: “It would not be fair for everybody to have to move out of town because he wants you to be a star. He probably wants you to be on that program like Our Gang/The Little Rascals.” That program aired from 1922–1944. No matter what his motives were, his actions brought so much joy to my heart that day. And the memory of the picture he gave me is a gift I will always cherish
But my family situation was different; it was horrific. To endure the suffering, I realized I needed to talk to the One who created me and the whole world. I was sure He was the only one who could help me. I told Him what was happening in my life, and I boldly asked Him why He allowed me to be born. He responded, and I heard Him clearly within my heart. He said that He loved me, and He told me exactly what to do: “Go to church and learn about me,” He said. I responded with some questions: “Who will comb my hair; who will iron my clothes?” He said, “Go as you are.” And that is exactly what I did. Oh, the peace I felt within as I trusted Him to cover me with His love, which was the lifelong protection I so desperately needed.
Growing up, I remember drastic changes in my life; survival became the game I had to play. Time and time again despicable thoughts overwhelmed my heart, mind, and soul. I was confused and disheartened but resilient. I realized I was not alone in the game of survival. I knew that many people were angry and discontented and were fighting and hurting each other. I realized there are times when they simply don’t understand who is speaking to their minds and pulling them into the depths of deception. Certainly, many of them are clueless about the cause of their plight. I began to understand the answers that only my Father could have revealed to me. The facts were mounting and revealing the path of truth. He was covering me with His grace and mercy.
I prayed for a husband whom God would choose as my soul mate, and my life has never been the same. With David as my helper, I pursued my calling, and the road ahead became clear. I learned the truth, became free, and earned a college degree in addition to three national certifications as a neurodiagnostic technologist. I then graduated from the Shepherd School of Ministry and wrote four books that were very well received. Finally, my husband and I confounded the Fruit of Forgiveness Ministry.
I began praying about my books. What should the titles be? I asked God about each one, and each time He revealed the titles to me. Before completing the last book, I noticed a common theme: coverings. In each book I could see covers of darkness and covers of light. It was crystal clear to me the many coverings people wear. Some coverings divide, some deceive, some distract, and some destroy. Conversely, other coverings provide shelter to protect us from the storms of life.
And like many other times in my life, God gave me the idea for my memoir, The Covering, and I knew it was from Him. To that end, I asked Him for knowledge and wisdom to teach about the pathway to truth. He has placed these principles in my life to serve humanity until the day I die, or until Jesus comes to take me home, a gift far greater than a Polaroid picture or even becoming a Hollywood star.
​