When I was Ordained, I Wore a Girly Dress

Not everyone understands the pressure of gender expectations in a field dominated by the opposite sex. It is difficult to balance wanting to be accepted and taken seriously with being yourself.  I have been told not to appear too feminine when I speak in front of a church. To those who think this, I might as well tell you that I will do the exact opposite. I will dress appropriately, of course, but I will embrace who God has made me and not attempt to hide it. I am a woman. And I'm not ashamed of it. I wear bright and girly dresses, colorful makeup, and adorn my hair with flowers.  I can speak the Word while wearing red lipstick. I can stand and preach just as well in high heels. I can care for others all the better in my girly dress because I feel free and can be myself, not hiding who I am under a mask others have asked me to wear. Here is a poem that I absolutely love. It expresses this problem, the pain, and the joy better than I can. It is called "When I am Ordained, I Shall Purple." And as you can see below, I did exactly that.

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When I am Ordained, I shall wear Purple

by Mia Smith
When I am ordained, I shall wear purple
with killer heels and bright red lipstick
And I shall go round preaching from the Bible

The liberating truth that Jesus calls women
and tell those who say otherwise that it is they,
not I, who are bad theologians. I shall sit down with fellow clergy when we are tired of fighting for equality
and going the extra mile with grace when we are put down,
And we will make up for it:
by encouraging one another as Scripture says,
and praying for those who abuse us,
and rejoicing that we are suffering
(but just a little bit) for Jesus,
And we might even eat some chocolate. I will adopt the ordination name “Junia”,
and remind those who object,
that there may be a boy named Sue somewhere in the world,
but there probably isn’t.

But now we must face the world,
Who think we are traitors to our sex
For working for the Church
And face our brothers and sisters who think
We are being unbiblical
And face those in our Churches
who have failed to notice the pain this week has brought.
And we will go in the strength of Christ.
We will not turn our backs on our calling
Because God is not finished with the Church,
And He is faithful. But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am ordained, and start to wear purple.