Stand Up!!! And Walk Into It!!!

The Pressure of Preparation, the Power of Perspective, and the Courage to Walk by Faith

Some moments in our lives, Father God causes us to pause and take another look at what He’s doing. Sometimes, we’re so busy working, building, pressing, and persevering that we don’t recognize what He’s showing us or hear what He’s speaking through those He has positioned around us. This past weekend was one of those moments for me. And y’all, what a weekend it was!

When the Vision Began

Let me take you back two years. On October 18, 2024, my husband and I were in Monterey, California, enjoying a birthday getaway our pastors had graciously gifted us. That morning, Father God woke me up with ideas for fragrances, body care products, and what I didn’t know would eventually become Ceolé by Ceola J. Later that morning, we went to breakfast, and I shared what Father God had shown me. We sat there for hours discussing names, ideas, products, and possibilities. At the time, I thought about making some body scrubs and gifting them to family members for Christmas. Though that didn’t happen, the vision didn’t leave me. What began as a vision from Father God became a journey of researching ingredients, studying formulations, watching instructional videos, practicing, developing products, making adjustments, learning, and growing. And trust me when I tell you I’ve had some learning curves; believe me, I have!

Y’all, I had to learn about ingredients, their properties, how they interact, and why certain ingredients work in some formulations but not others. I had to learn about INCI labeling, preservatives, pH levels, scales, thermometers, measurements, packaging, labeling, and so much more! And by the way, some of the formulations didn’t turn out quite right! I’ve had some mishaps along the way! Some of my lotions, butters, scrubs, and washes didn’t turn out as expected. I had formulations that needed adjusting, and there were batches that couldn’t be used. With every unsuccessful batch, I learned another important lesson, including the financial cost of the ingredients and products I had invested in.

Because when you’re learning to develop products, mistakes don’t just cost you time. They cost you money, too!

And believe me, I’ve felt the cost of those lessons! But I’ve also gained knowledge, experience, and a greater appreciation for the work that goes into creating quality skin and body care products. I’ve learned that having a vision is one thing, but developing the knowledge, skills, discipline, and understanding required to bring that vision to fruition is something else entirely. And I’m still learning!

The Unveiling Continues

Meanwhile, Father God continued unfolding something much bigger. About a year after that Monterey experience, I received a call that led to a conversation about the broader vision Father God had given me. The vision that included my stage plays, films, gift baskets, the East Contra Costa Black Chamber, and other endeavors. That phone conversation in December 2025, when I officially launched The Ceola J. Collective, to now, October 2026, when what began as Soulé received its new name and branding: Ceolé by Ceola J. — Care for the Soul. But the story does not end here. There’s another part of this story that I want you to see.

Stand Up!!! And Walk Into It!!!

In 2024, Dr. Theresa invited me to partner with her in bringing her women’s conference, Stand Up!!! And Walk Into It!!!, to fruition. She also invited me to collaborate on a book bearing the same title. One year later, we collaborated on the companion devotional. Do you see Father God in here? If not yet, keep reading. Here I was, helping to bring a conference and books to fruition with a message encouraging women to stand up and walk into what Father God has for them. And two years later, I found myself having to do exactly that!

And two years later, one week to the date, this past Saturday, at Dr. Theresa’s invitation and encouragement, I had the honor of joining her again for the 3rd Annual Stand Up!!! And Walk Into It!!! Women’s Conference. Only this time, I was also a vendor, introducing my skin and body care line, Ceolé by Ceola J. But wait y’all, let me tell you what happened before I got there!

The Pressure of Preparation

I had been up working since 7 a.m. Friday morning, right through my 8:45 A.M. arrival time for setup Saturday. Throughout the night, as I prayed, worshipped, and sought Father God, I began questioning whether I should even continue. I hadn’t slept or gotten off my feet the entire time. I was exhausted and in extreme pain. I honestly didn’t believe I could physically attend the conference with the pain I was in, and I almost had given in to this feeling.

But God!

Praise God, the products were already made, but everything else was just so much work! Plus, the printer made an error on my posters. They also forgot to print my price list. Labels weren’t printing correctly. My programs were malfunctioning. You name it, it seemed to happen! “Lord, am I supposed to do this?” I was asking repeatedly, like Gideon. Have you ever been there? You’re working toward something you believe Father God has placed in your heart, but the challenges seem to keep coming. You begin questioning whether the difficulties are a sign to stop. Well, right here is where I want you to hear me.

Not everything is an attack of the enemy or even Father God trying to redirect you! Some things are pressure points to push us!

Using Godly wisdom and discernment, understand this: sometimes what we’re experiencing isn’t meant to stop us but to press us forward into what Father God has for us. We must be careful not to mistake the pressure of preparation for a sign that we’re not supposed to proceed. And let me be clear: We will have times when Father God will redirect us, and times we may need to stop, reevaluate, make adjustments, or even change direction. But every inconvenience, setback, or difficulty isn’t necessarily a spiritual attack or a divine warning. We’re simply experiencing the work required to bring something to fruition. And in that process, we learn something new and may have to make adjustments. We may have to press past our own doubts to keep moving. And for me, that night, I continued praying, worshipping, and seeking Father God. And when I tell you He answered, you better believe He did!

When Father God Speaks Through Others

I am so glad Father God graced me to push through. Because, while at the conference, Apostle Christine Liddell repeatedly said to me, “I’m so proud of you. You’re on to something here.” When she said it, she pointed to her hand where she had applied some of my body lotion, and told me how much she loved the smell and feel. At one point, she shared that she had helped place the complimentary Ceolé samples we provided for every woman in attendance into the gift bags Dr. Theresa had prepared. And she had smelled every scent! Throughout the day, she continued encouraging me. “You’re on to something here.” But you wanna know what made those words even more impactful? Just a month earlier, during a conversation with my Apostle, True Lafayette, she also encouraged me to attend events as a vendor, affirming that this was God’s will. I’m paraphrasing, but that was the heart of what she shared.

We must tune our ears to hear Father God; He’s always speaking!

And here is where we can be more careful: when we’re so focused on the work in front of us that we don’t recognize the encouragement, confirmation, or perspective offered by those strategically aligned with us. They help keep us on track, focused on Father God and not the work or the “think.” They are the Godly wisdom we need to help navigate the will, purpose, and vision Father God has given to us. We were never meant to do this or carry vision alone.

When the Right Perspective Changes Everything

My husband asked to see pictures from the conference, but I hadn’t taken any myself! So, I texted the two people who had taken pictures to share them with me. My Apostle True had taken the first picture of me standing at my Ceolé display. My hubby then took one of the pictures and created an AI version. Now, if you know me, you know I’m not a fan of AI pictures! So when he sent it to me, I was like, “Oh Lord…” But the Lord caused me to pause. Then suddenly, I began thinking again about what Apostle True had shared with me a month earlier and what Apostle Liddell had repeatedly said throughout the conference. I have great love and respect for Apostle Liddell, and each time she pointed and said those words to me, I thought she was being kind, and I smiled and replied, “Amen.” But as I paused, I wasn’t just looking at an AI-altered photo. I was looking beyond the table setup, the products, the display, and even my exhaustion. Father God opened my eyes, and I saw possibilities; I saw Jeremiah 29:11 staring back at me.

What started with my being awakened at 3 am with fragrances and body scrubs during a birthday getaway in Monterey two years earlier was coming to fruition, and I had only scratched the surface. And then, like a ton of bricks, it hit me! This coming Sunday, October 18, 2026, my 60th birthday, will mark exactly two years since Father God awakened me with that vision! Y’all! Two years! Are you reading this? The same weekend I celebrate 60 years of life, I’m looking back on two years since Father God placed those ideas in my heart. And here I am, now introducing Ceolé to women who are purchasing, using, loving, and sharing the product line with others.

The right perspective changes everything!

Sometimes, we need a reminder to look beyond what is immediately in front of us and see the BIG picture of our BIG God. What you see today may not look like what Father God has shown you, but don’t despise where you are while He’s taking you to where you’re going! Don’t become so discouraged by the process that you fail to recognize your progress. Don’t allow the difficulties of preparation to cause you to abandon the vision because it requires more work than you anticipated. And don’t compare the beginning of your journey to someone else’s years of development. Be faithful with what Father God has placed in your capable hands. Step up to the plate, learn what you need to learn, adjust where necessary, and always seek Father God for wisdom; it’s His vision, His Word, and His will for your life. He IS the blueprint holder. And when it’s time to move, move! Standing up is one thing, but walking into it requires action.

I’m Walking by Faith

I never imagined myself developing a skin and body care line, but here I am, and I’m grateful. I am grateful for my husband, my biggest supporter, who helps, encourages, and is always there for me. Through the long hours, the challenges, the uncertainty, and everything in between, he’s right there praying over me and for me. I’m grateful to Dr. Theresa, who invited me to participate as a vendor and allowed me to introduce Ceolé to so many incredible women. I’m grateful for Bernie, who set up my table. I’m grateful to Apostle True Lafayette and Apostle Christine Liddell for their encouragement, which means so much.

I’m grateful for every woman who purchased Ceolé at the conference and shared how much she loved it. I’m grateful for my BFF, Lorraine, who purchases Ceolé and gifts it to others. I’m grateful for my nephew Isaiah, who loves our Maple Chai scent and who continues to purchase and share our products with his peers. I am also grateful to everyone who is learning about Ceolé, purchasing our products, sharing them, and continuing to support what we’re building. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

As I prepare to celebrate my 60th birthday, I’m reflecting on more than the number of years Father God has blessed me to live. I’m reflecting on His faithfulness, the lessons learned, the doors opened, the challenges overcome, and the possibilities that still lie ahead. I don’t believe turning 60 means slowing down, giving up on purpose, vision, or my faith. And I’m certainly not finished learning or growing! So here I am, grateful, listening, and believing in what I can’t yet see. And I’m going to keep walking by faith! And so should you!

Remember what I always say: “The right perspective changes everything.”

With love and faith,
Ceola J.