02Aug
The prayers and continued confidence of our co-founders, donors, team members, and supporters sustains us and helps to continue to discern our path forward.
how did you discern god's will?
I have learned over the years to slow down and not respond immediately to an ask or opportunity, since it is only with a time of reflection and prayer that I can answer with conviction and confidence. I have to take a breath and ask for more time to think about it and this has seemed to serve me well. Usually, it’s long walks in the woods with my dog, time in nature, walking meditation, and prayer that allows me the space and time to consider whether to move forward with something. One such example was with my vocation– feeling called to change careers and work with the refugee community which I have done for the last 15 years. I listened to that tug of my heart and the things that seemed to be lining up in favor of this change and with the space and time of reflection, prayer and meditation over a full year that made me say a full-hearted yes to this next chapter.
was there a moment or sign when you knew the voice of god was present?
Absolutely! Our nonprofit- The Refugee Collective (formerly Multicultural Refugee Coalition) was founded by four unlikely friends; two Liberian refugees, myself, and a former missionary kid originally from Congo several years older than myself. We had the shared desire to support Austin’s refugee population in a creative, supportive, and community-centered way. When Johsnon and Paul, the Liberian refugees, shared their confidence in selecting me as their desired leader for this endeavor I felt a spark from my head to my toes and a heartbeat that was fully alive. I will never forget it. As I had considered whether this was the change I wanted to make and devote my heart and soul to, it seemed that I had my answer through this full body affirmation.
what is your continuing discernment practice?
As with any long lived endeavor, there comes lots of ups and downs and challenges you aren’t sure how you are going to make it through. At every twist and turn, I do what I have learned to do which is to take a big breath, slow down, go for long walks in nature with my dog, say many prayers for all of the refugees we work with and pray to always find a way through. I give thanks for every donor and opportunity that has felt like such a gift from God and affirmation to keep going, no matter how hard or unclear the path may seem at times. The prayers and continued confidence of our co-founders, donors, team members, and supporters sustains us and helps to continue to discern our path forward.
STORIES OF DISCERNMENT
These Stories of Discernment came out of our 2024 year-long focus on discernment as a parish. Throughout the summer, we will share these stories to inspire our community to continue to explore ways to listen to God’s call in our lives as individuals and as a parish.
Login To Leave Comment