9-Year-Old Joshua Smith Continues to Inspire; Mom Says 'I Really Believe that it’s the Lord that Gave him the Idea'
Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 10:55AM 
Joshua Smith was interviewed by Fox 2 News in Detroit. (Image Courtesy of Musings of a (Recvoering) Strong Black Woman" blogBy EEW Magazine News Staff
He set up his lemonade stand to raise money for his cash-strapped city of Detroit. Then, seemingly over night, 9-year-old Joshua, son of EEW Magazine's parenting columnist Rhonda Smith, became a media sensation. His story has inspired thousands, while his efforts have raised thousands of dollars in the process.
"I really believe that it’s the Lord that gave him the idea,” says Joshua's mother, Rhonda in an interview with NBC's TheGrio.com. “I couldn’t imagine it at all. I told someone that the greatest lesson that I see, even though there are several lessons on so many levels for all of us, is the power of prayer. I think a lot of times we discount that because of social media, and we spread the word. But God has to inspire people to (donate).”
And donate they did.
Young Joshua has far and away exceeded his goal of $1,000. “It’s close $3,600,” Flynn Smith, Joshua’s father, says. After the sale ended, kind-hearted individuals continued to send in cards and money through the family's PayPal account.
The 9-year-old philanthropist is now being called a hero and has received high praise from Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. He even appeared before the Detroit City Council and was presented with a “Spirit of Detroit” award.
“But here’s one young man who decided that he wanted to pray about the conditions in our city and he had this spark of an idea. I really believe that it’s the Lord that gave him the idea,” says Rhonda.
EEW Magazine's entire staff is so proud of Joshua Smith and his family. The principles our columnist, Rhonda shares with EEW readers in her bi-weekly "Kingdom First" parenting column can be seen at work in her own family's life, which is a beautiful thing.
If you desire to donate to the cause, click here to do so.
How has this story touched, inspired, and empowered you?
Reader Comments (1)
Awww....such a sweet little boy. God can use children to do what we grown folks won't! Bless his heart. :)