Discerning a Call A Path of Many Beginnings

I began to contemplate what I might do when my children, now 8 and 10 years old, are older. What might be my next career? I realized I could no longer settle for just a job. I felt called to do more. My skills could be useful in any number of ways, but every time I considered an occupation my heart would grip me, pulling me away from settling. I began a process of discernment. I sought counsel from my husband, friends, books, clergy, and the Lord, to help me choose a path of meaning and purpose. I took my pastors suggestion to meet a LDA deaconess in Conyers, GA. Deaconess Barb Neimans diaconal ministry intrigued me. She explained that a deaconess is called to point people to the Christ that I so dearly love, to work among the forgotten and marginalized, and to bring the church into this work. Through scripture and sound teaching, I discovered that my purpose is not about me at all, but about Gods purpose to reclaim all people. God longs for all of us to be a part of a bigger vision, and I wondered how involved God wanted me to be. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. Ephesians 4:7 My passions and desires led me to works of service to the church, to Gods people, to the world and its brokenness, and to those who suffer because of that brokenness. The deeper I went, the more God challenged me. I faced each challenge with boldness and with trepidation. For unto whom much is given, of them shall be much required; and to whom are committed much, of them will be asked the more. Luke 12:48 As a diaconal student, I am in community with women and men who have dedicated their lives to Gods purpose. Their inspiration transforms my service with meaning. This proverb is one of my favorites: Tell me, and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand. I anticipate becoming fully involved in a life of service, deepening my understanding of Gods vision for the world, and living my faith as a more recognizable witness to the hope of Gods redemptive love.

Adrainne Gray is in the second phase of the deaconess formation process. Her LDA fieldwork is with Lutheran Services of Georgia as a bible study facilitator for detained undocumented immigrants. Her children are getting taller, and enjoy doing ministry with mommy. The entire family joins daddy at the ends of his long-distance runs.