Lisa Ann Clayton

I never expected a pink water bottle to become part of my ministry. Yet time and again, this simple gift has sparked conversations, lit up faces, and reminded me that influence often flows through the ordinary.

My water bottle carries more than water. It carries a message not only for what it says on the outside but also for what it does on the inside, keeping my water cold for long stretches of time. The words stamped across it, “Pastor Auntie Lisa,” were a gift from my niece when I officiated her wedding two years ago. Over time, I’ve realized that this simple, practical gift has become more than just a container for water. It has become a quiet witness.

On separate occasions, young women have stopped me with a gleam in their eyes: “Are you a pastor?” they asked excitedly. I chuckled, nodded, and said, “Yes, yes, I am.” One young woman told me she had been looking for a church to attend. I handed her my card. Another Starbucks employee smiled as she gave me my water bottle filled with ice water and told me, “That’s sooo cool!” Her excitement was noticeably different than when I first walked into the store.

Each time I walked away smiling, thankful for my life, my calling, and the reminder that influence doesn’t always come through a microphone or a stage. Sometimes it comes through the things we carry.

The Power of Everyday Witness

That pink water bottle speaks even when I don’t. It reminds me that women don’t have to strive to make an impact; sometimes, simply showing up authentically is enough. We carry pieces of our story wherever we go, and often those stories whisper louder than anything we could intentionally say.

For ambitious women, it’s tempting to believe influence comes only from titles, platforms, or professional recognition. But the truth is, influence is built in the ordinary moments. It’s in how you carry yourself into a meeting, how you greet the cashier at the store, or how your resilience radiates in spaces where others are watching.

Shining Light despite Struggles

As a Black female pastor, I’ve faced my share of struggles, divorce, leadership challenges, financial setbacks, and the constant balancing act of ministry and entrepreneurship. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about deciding that your light still shines even in hardship.

That’s the beautiful paradox of influence: people are often more impacted by your scars than your perfections. Your survival, your resilience, your ability to keep shining in the face of brokenness, that’s what gives other women hope.

From Dissertation to Life’s Work

When I completed my doctoral dissertation, The Role of Transformational Preaching in Healing Clergy Divorce, I was told it was my “life’s work.” I hadn’t set out with that intention. At the time, it felt like the story I needed to tell and the research I needed to explore. But life has a way of preparing us for purposes bigger than we imagine.

Looking back, I now see how my academic work and personal journey intersected. My experiences of loss and healing became a testimony not just for myself, but for others walking through their own valleys. What began as pages bound between covers became a calling to help people heal and lead from a place of wholeness.

Leadership and Influence in Today’s World

We are living in turbulent times. Political shifts, racial reckonings, economic uncertainty, and personal and professional life pressures weigh heavily on women everywhere. The temptation is to shrink back, to dim our light until conditions improve. But what the world needs now are leaders who shine authentically, courageously, and compassionately in the in-between spaces.

Influence today isn’t about having all the answers or seeming to have it all together. It’s about showing up with integrity. It’s about modeling resilience, choosing wholeness, and leading with courage when retreating would be easier. It’s about letting even your water bottle speak.

Carry What Speaks

My pink water bottle is over two years old, and it may soon be time to replace it. But the lesson it carries will last far longer. Whether it’s a water bottle, a story, a scar, or a symbol, we have something that can inspire others.

So, whether you carry a water bottle, a story, or a scar, carry it with courage. Carry it knowing that your life already speaks volumes. Carry it boldly because the world needs your light.

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Lisa Ann Clayton is the Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Boonton, NJ, a transformational healing coach, and a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in helping Christians, especially those navigating divorce and significant life transitions, find healing and wholeness through faith, coaching, and holistic wellness. A passionate preacher and entrepreneur, Dr. Clayton blends pastoral care, personal resilience, and practical strategies to inspire others to live with courage, authenticity, and purpose.