“Respect one another warmly as Christians." ~ Romans
12:10
Some called us the ‘Invisible Kids’ – socially awkward and
unathletic. We were the ones no one
wanted as partners for class projects.
Like any kid, I wanted to be liked and to have lots of
adoring friends. But I also wanted to
lead, not follow. I tried desperately to
get involved, but everywhere I looked, an obstacle blocked my way.
I ran for freshman, sophomore, junior and senior class
president, and all eight semesters of student council. I lost every race. Yep, there was no doubt about my social
leprosy.
But while I might have been a pimply kid with little
athletic prowess, I was tough as a timber wolf inside. My strength came from strong parents who infused
in me some critical life lessons.
First - success will be determined not by how you get along with
those who are like you, but by how you relate with those who are not
like you. Second - happiness will be
determined not by your experience with things that go your way, but rather by
the way you handle yourself when things don’t.
Two other things helped me endure my standing as a social outcast.
One of those was my church youth group. I never lacked for things to do or friends to
do them with.
My other safety net was the support of teachers; people who saw me
as a courageous kid who endured ridicule and kept a smile in the process.
I’m telling this story because even today, 35 years later, kids
who are “different” continue to suffer the devastating effects of harassment. Every year, nearly 25,000 young Americans will
commit suicide, often as the result of despair brought about by “not fitting
in.” Suicide is the third-leading cause
of death among teenagers in this country.
Despite how bad things may seem, life has an amazing ability to correct
itself. Today I enjoy the spoils of a very
successful business, an amazingly supportive family, and the laughter of my own
church Youth Group. I attended our
class’ 20-year reunion not as the class president, but as the mayor of this
city.
Listen up teens!
Statistically, popularity in high school is a poor indicator of whether
or not you will be successful as an adult.
In fact, there are instances where being less unpopular in school can
give you an advantage. The kids who
aren't trying to fit in with the crowd are less likely to succumb to peer
pressure that can have potentially negative effects, such as drinking, drugs
and sex. Also, kids who aren't
constantly struggling to keep up with the popular kids can focus their
attention on achieving their own ambitions.
Lord, please open my eyes. Please let me see those around me that are in
need of my compassion. Compel me to
listen to them, to hear their needs.
Give me the heart to be interested in their troubles and provide for me
the means to help them. Amen
