Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Smith.
Hi Sabrina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Sabrina Walthour Smith. I am the second oldest of four children, and from an early age, I strongly believed that I was destined for something special. My dreams were centered around one thing and one thing only and that was basketball. It was my passion, my dreams, my escape, my future, even my life—or so I thought. I went through unimaginable challenges, including being a victim of child molestation, rejection, and abandonment. During my senior year in high school, my sneaky deeds were exposed, and I became pregnant. For whatever reason, I thought that being talented and gifted were somehow shielding me from the consequences of my actions. As crazy as it sounds, I didn’t think I could get pregnant because I was this superstar. Sometimes you just think that nothing can go wrong when you are doing so good. This unexpected turn of events shattered the dreams I’d held in my heart since childhood. I married my husband and gave birth to my first child all within 12 hours of each other. I got married at 3pm and he was born at 1am. Don’t even worry about it…lol. I still graduated high school on time. Many who I thought were for me, I realized were only for my gift. Woahhh, Smith. Watch yourself, Lil’ Ghurl. That can take us somewhere we don’t have time to go right now. I’ll move on. After finding out I was pregnant, I had to choose between going to college to play basketball and raising my son. And I chose to be a mother. I didn’t want that responsibility on anyone except for me.
When I thought I had been through enough surprises, my husband received a calling to the ministry, and I became a young preacher’s wife, then a pastor’s wife. I was not prepared. I knew how to dress the part, but I did not know how to lead God’s people, to be an example of how to be a Christian. I was still carrying the weight and burden of past pain and frustrations. I wasn’t even saved at the time, yet here I was, the First Lady. It was a journey I never anticipated but one that would change my life forever. The Lord had a unique plan for my life, one that would lead me down a path of healing, purpose, and restoration, and the path it took for me to get to it has been humbling. I still get tickled at the image of myself sitting on the front row with stockings, a big hat, and a matching purse. I moved like that for many years- from tradition (what I knew), but it was not me. I was uncomfortable conforming to a personality that was not mine. Not that I am better than tradition but I am best at being me. When my husband was like, “Honey, just be you”, I never felt more free. From that point, I have flourished into my own identity as God’s vessel that He can flow through-unapologetically me.
My husband and I have been together for almost 30 years and married for 27 years. We are blessed with two sons, twin granddaughters, and a grandson. Together, we serve as pastors at CDC: City of Praise in Valdosta, GA, a calling that both humbles and empowers us. My transformation and journey toward embracing who God was calling me to be were not immediate. It took time (a long time) for God to work in me, heal my wounds, and shape me into who I am today. I fully accept the call on my life. After so many years of “That ain’t going to me”, it is indeed me. I didn’t want any part of the church, more less being a pastor, prophet, evangelist, and teacher of the Word. I tell anyone, ‘Don’t be out here saying what you ain’t gone do”. You may eat those words-I surely did. Now, it is no longer a struggle for me to do what I do and be who I am. I am whatever God needs from the gifts and talents he has blessed me with. I can sing a little, play keys, drums, and I’m a little tech-savvy. My assignment on this earth is clear: help my husband, lead people to Jesus, and help others overcome hardship, trauma, and hurt so they can be their best selves.
I don’t have that many hobbies anymore. I love watching crime shows (go figure), playing keys (keyboard)… I just love music period. I love sleeping. I faithfully serve the sleep ministry (laughing). I love rolling with my husband, who is my best friend. We are complete opposites, but it works because we make it work. I enjoy traveling, especially cruising. I love sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love motivating and inspiring others. I still love basketball too. I have a lil’ bit left in the tank.
I appreciate you for allowing me to share my story. This is the cliff notes version of it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to where I am today has been far from smooth, largely due to my own inner battles. When you have a purpose over your life, but you’re not entirely aware or sure of it, it can be challenging to submit to that purpose. For a long time, I couldn’t let go of the pain of losing basketball. I was grieving deeply. I also had heavy resentment in my heart for the situations I had been in and blamed God. I didn’t have a blueprint or an example of how to overcome these challenges so my biggest obstacle was myself – my hurt, my pain, and my emotional baggage. Once I was able to GET OVER AND BEYOND these things, I was able to move in the right direction.
Dealing with people’s perceptions of me was also a challenge. Being DIFFERENT comes with criticism. In the position of the pastor’s wife, especially in the traditional church setting, there were expectations of who you were supposed to be and how you were supposed to act. To many people, it may have appeared that I was rebelling or not honoring God or the position of the First Lady when that was not the case. I was just being ME…Sabrina Walthour Smith. I’m approachable. I’m relatable.
I’m honest. I’m crazy. I’m cool. I’m down to earth. I’m simply me. I’m trying to please God, and it started with me getting over what people thought about me. I refuse to try and look like something or someone that I’m not to please people who didn’t create me the way that I am. I’m out here trying to draw people to Jesus. The world needs to see Jesus through us-our individual selves with our own personal testimonies of what He’s done in us, not an imitation of another.
I understand that these challenges; however painful, were all part of my making and becoming. Once I grasped that, I had to stop cursing and complaining about them and embrace them for what they were. They were the things that God used to mature and develop me. Now, being shaped and sharpened is not always easy. Pruning hurts. Growing has pains associated with it. But you endure them because they are working on your behalf. They’re necessary.
I’ve actually written a book about all of this-‘When Purpose Seems Like Punishment: A Memoir of Tragedy and Triumph’. Get your copy on Amazon or contact me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have truly been blessed in my life, especially in my professional life, I currently have the privilege of serving as the Director of Safety and Security for a local school district. This role is a natural extension of my commitment to empowering young people, and it allows me to be proactive in making a difference in their lives. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is being a point of contact for parents/guardians when they need help with or have issues or concerns regarding their children’s safety and well-being.
My professional journey spans almost two decades in law enforcement, with my specialty lying in the area of juvenile matters. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to gain valuable insights and expertise. It has prepared me for my current role, where I can directly impact our students. I take pride in the many accomplishments throughout my career. While I have received numerous awards over the years, what I treasure most is being an example and a trailblazer. I came up through the ranks. I was a patrol officer, school resource officer, detective, detective sergeant, school resource officer sergeant, and finally a lieutenant. During this time, I became the first black female Sergeant in the Investigative Bureau, the first black female Lieutenant in the Professional Standards Unit, and now in my current position, the first Director of Safety and Security.
These milestones are not just personal achievements; they serve as a sign of hope for young people, or anyone for that matter, who may doubt their own dreams. It’s a great feeling to say to someone, ‘Look at what I’ve done; I know you can do it too!’ To me, that’s a great sense of honor in guiding someone toward realizing their dreams and aspirations. I don’t want to be the sole beneficiary of what I’ve accomplished; I want others to experience the same feelings of achievement and victory. To be able to accomplish so much when, statistically, my life should be in shambles is a tribute to God’s favor, hard work, discipline, and the support of so many people who have helped me and encouraged me along the way. I never saw myself here in this place, but God did. He changed the trajectory of my life for a reason. He has put me where He needed me to be. I want my life to create a path for someone else to be able to find their way.
I have a nonprofit organization, ‘It’s All About H.E.R., Inc.’ whose mission is youth mentoring and women’s empowerment. Being a voice for and to others is a great privilege and honor for me. I love giving back from what I have received. I’m usually the person people call when they have issues with their children and want help getting/keeping them on the right track. I am a life coach with “Empower2Thrive180′. That’s my business by the way. I can help you get through some stuff and keep you out of it. It’s all about strategy and intention.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My family means everything to me. They are not only my reason for being but also the driving force behind everything I do. Every day, I wake up with the determination to make my sons proud to call me their mother, to make my husband proud to have me beside him and to make my parents proud of the person they raised me to be. I want my siblings to hold their heads high when they talk about me. I want our church family to not be ashamed of where they worship and who their pastor is. I want my work family to not regret the day they hired me. That’s what matters to me. Family is a powerful force in my life… They guide me, motivate me, and remind me of what really matters in this life.
My character and integrity are at the core of who I am and what I stand for. Being of good moral character and living honorably are the principles that guide me and hold me to high standards no matter where I go. I believe in treating people right, being productive at work, representing my faith and family in the best light possible, and ultimately seeking to please the Lord with all of my life. I don’t aspire to fame or recognition for personal gain. Instead, my goal is simple: to be known as a good person with a good heart, no hidden agendas, just a commitment to maximizing the time I have while passing through this life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.empower2thrive180.com
- Instagram: @mrssabrinawsmith
- Facebook: facebook.com/sabrina.smith.16100
- Youtube: @pastorsabrinasmith
Image Credits
Iconic Queens Photography, DJM Photography
