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May 9-May 23
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Rhonda J. Smith is a former college speech
instructor & communications coordinator
turned full-time homemaker & journalist. The
writing of this committed wife and mother
who earned her Bachelor’s degree in
journalism and a Master’s degree in
communication from Wayne State University,
Detroit, has been featured in The Detroit
News, Newsday (New York), Chicago
Tribune, Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI),
Guideposts, and Charisma Magazine.
Rhonda frequently speaks at ministry
functions, writes and edits newsletters for
Christian ministries, and teaches public
speaking workshops. Three times a week,
she encourages women to lean on God's
strength instead of their own through her
blog, Musings of a (Recovering) Strong Black
Woman. She, her husband and three sons
attend Evangel Ministries in Detroit, where
they live.
Email Rhonda Smith:
rhonda@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook:
Facebook.com
instructor & communications coordinator
turned full-time homemaker & journalist. The
writing of this committed wife and mother
who earned her Bachelor’s degree in
journalism and a Master’s degree in
communication from Wayne State University,
Detroit, has been featured in The Detroit
News, Newsday (New York), Chicago
Tribune, Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI),
Guideposts, and Charisma Magazine.
Rhonda frequently speaks at ministry
functions, writes and edits newsletters for
Christian ministries, and teaches public
speaking workshops. Three times a week,
she encourages women to lean on God's
strength instead of their own through her
blog, Musings of a (Recovering) Strong Black
Woman. She, her husband and three sons
attend Evangel Ministries in Detroit, where
they live.
Email Rhonda Smith:
rhonda@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook:
Facebook.com
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EMAIL:
She's practical. She's spiritual. And (drum
roll please...) she's your new parenting
columnist! Meet Rhonda J. Smith, EEW
Magazine's lovable, fun, and super helpful
mommy writer.
After this introductory feature which is
being presented by the interim team of
parenting writers (It's been a blast!), Rhonda
will be speaking to you directly. So, all you
modern moms doing your best to raise
Kingdom kids in the 21st century, say hello
to your new best friend. You'll love Rhonda.
roll please...) she's your new parenting
columnist! Meet Rhonda J. Smith, EEW
Magazine's lovable, fun, and super helpful
mommy writer.
After this introductory feature which is
being presented by the interim team of
parenting writers (It's been a blast!), Rhonda
will be speaking to you directly. So, all you
modern moms doing your best to raise
Kingdom kids in the 21st century, say hello
to your new best friend. You'll love Rhonda.
About the Writers
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When EEW Mag interviewed this co-author of Daily Guideposts: Your First Year of Motherhood
and writer of the "Musings of a (Recovering) Strong Black Woman" blog, she made us feel so at
ease about parenting.
"Don’t be uptight," says Rhonda. "The dishes can wait. You can get another plate if the kids
break it (accidentally of course) and you can clean up the spill. It really is okay. They will
appreciate your grace."
And speaking of grace, God has given this wife, mom of 3 handsome boys, and work-from-home
writer, plenty of it. There's no way she could complete a book, run a blog, accept speaking and
interview invitations, disciple women, and fulfill all her writing commitments, without it. So,
what's Rhonda's secret to holding it all together? Aside from prayer, study of God's word, and
communion with the Lord, she says, "I regularly incorporate 'me time.' You can’t be a Godly
mother if you’re a grouchy mother."
So true!
For Rhonda, the kind and gentle treatment of her children is an outgrowth of a fundamental
belief she shares with other moms. "You are a steward given the job to oversee the children God
gave you. As such, keep in mind you have to answer to God for how you mother." Still, Rhonda
knows that there is no such thing as a perfect mom, which is why she says, "I want moms to feel
equipped to disciple their children in righteousness and not feel guilty when they stumble if they
genuinely are striving to be a Godly mom." That's why her Kingdom First parenting column will
"equip mothers to teach their children to be disciples of Christ by applying the principles of 2
Timothy 3:15-17," while also offering compassion and understanding. "I want mothers to get a
sense of sisterhood, where there is free-flowing exchange among women who understand your
bad days and can celebrate your joy as well."
Celebrating triumphs, acknowledging faults, and learning ways to rear healthy children is a part
of Rhonda's journey, just like thousands of other EEW moms. She wants the same kinds of
things. "I want well-rounded children, who are involved with extracurricular activities, excel
academically and socially and are good critical thinkers," she shares. "But all of this needs to be
based on being Godly as outlined in Matthew 6:33."
Rhonda's insatiable hunger for truth that drives her ministry, first manifested while dealing with
her own struggle to discover what it really means to be a Christian. At the young age of 14,
Rhonda joined a church. But sadly, over the years, she could not find anyone to satisfactorily
answer her questions about Christianity beyond generalities and clichés. So, at 25, struggling
with the idea of embracing a faith she didn't truly understand, Rhonda walked away
temporarily. "I received Christ 15 years ago after a year away from the church in search of the
meaning of salvation," she recalls. God, who is sovereign, allowed Rhonda to attend a home
Bible study with her boyfriend (now husband) Flynn. There, a man teaching a Bible lesson
answered the questions burning in Rhonda's heart, without her even having to raise her hand
and ask! "After recognizing Jesus’ call, I made a commitment to Him, and to the study the Word
of God to find answers to my questions, so I could help other women like me who may have
missed some Christian essentials."
And these very Christian essentials are woven into Rhonda's advice to moms. "Parents, whether
married or single, are the teachers charged with leading their children into righteousness,"
Rhonda tells EEW. "This is more than Sunday worship service, Sunday school and church Bible
study. Teaching our children to be righteous (accepting Jesus Christ as Savior of their lives) and
how to walk in righteousness (making Jesus Christ Lord of their lives) has to be an intentional
process (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Our purpose is to groom them to embrace God’s specific calling
on their lives."
Grooming is the perfect word to describe Rhonda's role in the lives of EEW moms who log on to
read her Kingdom First bi-weekly column. She will prayerfully provide advice and instruction to
better equip moms to raise Godly kids in the 21st century. "I’m excited about joining the EEW
Magazine family after being an avid reader over the years," says Rhonda.
And EEW Magazine is excited to welcome her! You can do the same by sending an email to our
new mommy writer at rhonda@eewmagazine.com.
and writer of the "Musings of a (Recovering) Strong Black Woman" blog, she made us feel so at
ease about parenting.
"Don’t be uptight," says Rhonda. "The dishes can wait. You can get another plate if the kids
break it (accidentally of course) and you can clean up the spill. It really is okay. They will
appreciate your grace."
And speaking of grace, God has given this wife, mom of 3 handsome boys, and work-from-home
writer, plenty of it. There's no way she could complete a book, run a blog, accept speaking and
interview invitations, disciple women, and fulfill all her writing commitments, without it. So,
what's Rhonda's secret to holding it all together? Aside from prayer, study of God's word, and
communion with the Lord, she says, "I regularly incorporate 'me time.' You can’t be a Godly
mother if you’re a grouchy mother."
So true!
For Rhonda, the kind and gentle treatment of her children is an outgrowth of a fundamental
belief she shares with other moms. "You are a steward given the job to oversee the children God
gave you. As such, keep in mind you have to answer to God for how you mother." Still, Rhonda
knows that there is no such thing as a perfect mom, which is why she says, "I want moms to feel
equipped to disciple their children in righteousness and not feel guilty when they stumble if they
genuinely are striving to be a Godly mom." That's why her Kingdom First parenting column will
"equip mothers to teach their children to be disciples of Christ by applying the principles of 2
Timothy 3:15-17," while also offering compassion and understanding. "I want mothers to get a
sense of sisterhood, where there is free-flowing exchange among women who understand your
bad days and can celebrate your joy as well."
Celebrating triumphs, acknowledging faults, and learning ways to rear healthy children is a part
of Rhonda's journey, just like thousands of other EEW moms. She wants the same kinds of
things. "I want well-rounded children, who are involved with extracurricular activities, excel
academically and socially and are good critical thinkers," she shares. "But all of this needs to be
based on being Godly as outlined in Matthew 6:33."
Rhonda's insatiable hunger for truth that drives her ministry, first manifested while dealing with
her own struggle to discover what it really means to be a Christian. At the young age of 14,
Rhonda joined a church. But sadly, over the years, she could not find anyone to satisfactorily
answer her questions about Christianity beyond generalities and clichés. So, at 25, struggling
with the idea of embracing a faith she didn't truly understand, Rhonda walked away
temporarily. "I received Christ 15 years ago after a year away from the church in search of the
meaning of salvation," she recalls. God, who is sovereign, allowed Rhonda to attend a home
Bible study with her boyfriend (now husband) Flynn. There, a man teaching a Bible lesson
answered the questions burning in Rhonda's heart, without her even having to raise her hand
and ask! "After recognizing Jesus’ call, I made a commitment to Him, and to the study the Word
of God to find answers to my questions, so I could help other women like me who may have
missed some Christian essentials."
And these very Christian essentials are woven into Rhonda's advice to moms. "Parents, whether
married or single, are the teachers charged with leading their children into righteousness,"
Rhonda tells EEW. "This is more than Sunday worship service, Sunday school and church Bible
study. Teaching our children to be righteous (accepting Jesus Christ as Savior of their lives) and
how to walk in righteousness (making Jesus Christ Lord of their lives) has to be an intentional
process (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Our purpose is to groom them to embrace God’s specific calling
on their lives."
Grooming is the perfect word to describe Rhonda's role in the lives of EEW moms who log on to
read her Kingdom First bi-weekly column. She will prayerfully provide advice and instruction to
better equip moms to raise Godly kids in the 21st century. "I’m excited about joining the EEW
Magazine family after being an avid reader over the years," says Rhonda.
And EEW Magazine is excited to welcome her! You can do the same by sending an email to our
new mommy writer at rhonda@eewmagazine.com.
