Last month I received a letter from the Moderator congratulating me on 20 years of ordained ministry. I was a bit surprised to discover how touched I was. Even though I know it was a form letter AND I received it it both official languages, the words still stirred my heart, especially the ones of the middle paragraph.

Perhaps the words are particularly poignant as my husband and I  travelled west to Ontario this week, just as I did the solo trek 20 years ago (aside from a howling cat) and visit some folks in my settlement charge.

When I was newly ordained, I imagined that by the 20 year mark, I would have ministry figured out. So far from that! I often say that ministry is many things, but never boring.  There is always the opportunity to learn new skills… Usually after encountering new circumstances, often after making new mistakes. And of course, society has changed a great deal in the last 20 years.

My personal relationship with God had waxed and waned over these last two decades, which is about me and not about God. Ministry has taken me to places and given me opportunities that I didn’t ever imagine twenty years ago. It has also broken my heart and  spirit at times and I wondered where God was.

Now, I’m pondering what the last five years of ministry will look like for me. I no longer have the energy, stamina I did twenty years ago, nor the naivety. What I do have is experience, courage, adaptability and some wisdom and I trust that God still has some ministry for me.

And that’s my window on God’s world.