"you look so young!"

This is a phrase I get a lot... especially now, as I am practicing my ministry. All summer when I was doing my Clinical Pastoral Education as a chaplain at Fairview Southdale Hospital, I would have a hard time convincing the patients I would visit that I was really old enough, and that they could talk to me, about whatever they wished to...that I was here to listen and minister to them. Some even told me that I was too young to understand what they were going through so there was no need wasting my time! Well FINE.. I wanted to say.... well that or TRY ME.... just TRY ME!.... but you cant force it. My small group spent a lot of time hashing through this issue... and I was able to see that as an opportunity to shine in my ministry journey.. not to be boggled down by it!

Most will say, "you will be grateful for that compliment when you get older"... yes true... but...that doesn't make it any easier now... Its so funny.. I always thought I would have to defend myself more being a woman in ministry, not my age... both which are things I cant really control.

Zumbro embraces it though. They see me for who I am and what gifts I have and how I use them in my ministry. I have never been more praised for being a woman in my life here at Zumbro. I have been told that I am a breath of fresh air... and that my youth adds new dimensions to the church.

My latest "youthful encounter" was when I was leaving hospital visits at Mayo a couple weeks ago. The procedure is to write down your name and church on the ramp ticket, and hand it to the cashier... then you don't have to pay! A sweet deal if you ask me. Well this one time, I hand my ticket to the woman, she looks at it, looks at me and says
" youre a Pastor...at a church??"
My response was " yes, well an intern pastor."
Cashier: "then... what are you doing here?"
Me: "Visiting patients that belong to our church"
Cashier: "Do you have some proof?"
Me: "umm... well I have my seminary ID I can show you." (which I did...rolling my eyes at this whole situation)
Cashier: " Well..... alright.....(looking at the ID)....thank you.

I couldn't believe it! I was so insulted... Why would someone lie about that? Anyway... I know it is a challenge that will continue to show up in my journey... but all I can be is me... not having to prove anything but just continue to minister.

All because of this incident... I was made business cards... so I can leave them with ones who I minister to....or prove to others that I am not lying.... its silly really.