Use Your Words

One of the lessons that I have learned and am putting into practice is what my husband and I are teaching our two year old daughter Noah to do, and that is to “Use her words”. We understand that Noah is doing her best to tell us what she wants. She’s learning new words each day, expanding her vocabulary, and learning to communicate and express herself in a world that she is newly navigating, yet in the midst of her whining, we stop and tell Noah to use her words. We do this because we recognize that this is a great skill to acquire and we see the importance of communicating effectively. We certainly have not arrived in this area as adults, but we want Noah to get into the habit of articulating her thoughts, feelings, and needs, etc. early in life. It’s amazing to see because when Noah starts to whine or gets frustrated because we are not responding to what she is saying ( because we do not understand her toddler talk, lol) we will say Noah use your words and then all of a sudden we hear “ Yogurt, or applesauce, or grapes” and she will smile. We then celebrate and praise her because she used her words. Of course, we certainly understand Noah’s need to whine and we definitely embrace that she is a toddler, but we want to ensure that she learns at this young age the importance, the effectiveness, and the weight of her words. It also keeps us accountable as parents with not only teaching her to use her words, but for us as adults to use our words as well. Often times in the past, I found myself not effectively communicating my needs and shutting down. I would walk around with an attitude or hold grudges because something happen rather than using my words to express my thoughts and feelings and move forward. I realized that this type of behavior is old and unhealthy and I chose to do differently. I’ve made the committed to use my words to adequately express my needs, thoughts, desires, feelings, and boundaries, etc. I am committed to using my words, like my daughter Noah, to continue to be whole and healthy. #LessonFromNoah

Rev Lashonna

Reverend Lashonna Lynn Smith is an emerging and unique voice in the Body of Christ. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, she is a graduate of Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, PA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She is also a graduate of Shippensburg University located in Shippensburg, PA, where she successfully earned a Master of Science Degree in the Administration of Justice. Rev. Lashonna received her Master of Divinity degree from Turner Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. She was ordained an Itinerant Deacon at the Bermuda Annual Conference on March 7, 2015.

Rev. Lashonna is happily married to Rev. Dr. Jahkimmo Smith, the Pastor of Mount Zion AMEC in Southampton, Bermuda and is extremely thankful to God for their union. She enjoys serving in ministry with her husband and is grateful for the opportunity to serve others. As an Associate Minister at Mount Zion, Rev. Lashonna preaches and teaches the word of God, leads worship, along with serving as a Minister to Women and Young Adults. She also serves as a conference preacher, workshop facilitator, and contributor to the Christian Corner with F.A.C.E Philly Magazine. She has been blessed thus far to preach and minister the word of God in Bermuda, the United States, and Brazil. Rev. Lashonna is grateful for the opportunity to preach and minister wherever God sends her. She is also the creator of the FORGIVEN Tee, which is a ministry to let the world know that we are forgiven in Jesus Christ.

Rev. Lashonna has a strong desire to preach and teach a liberating and reconciling gospel to see lives saved, transformed, and made whole. She is committed to empowering people to live out their best lives and setting the world on fire for Christ. She is grateful for the call of God on her life and desires to bring glory to God’s name. The scripture that she holds dear to her heart is 1 Corinthians 15:10, “ But by the grace of God, I am, what I am…”

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