Were you the Popular Kid or the Nerd?

Dear Readers:
Boy, have I missed you. However, I can’t help myself. I must talk with you.

My computer is terribly slow-due to its Ram issue, seizing up every few seconds. Writing a post takes me more than an hour. But, I love you all and hate letting another day go by without saying “hello”.

I was reading the greatest book (ever written) with Biceps this morning and we came upon this scripture:

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (NIV, Romans 12:16)

This verse got me to thinking about high school.

(Photo Source-Movie, 1984 “Revenge of the Nerds”)
There of course were the definite “nerds” in high school. The ones that stayed in the science lab all day. They kind’ve stayed to themselves, played the tuba in the band, were the gaffers during plays and took three languages-just for fun.

Now, they run the world-but that’s beside the point.

And, there were the super popular girls who were on the cheer squad, dated the cutest boys and always voted to be the homecoming queens.

I was somewhere in between-I began my ninth grade year at the tender age of 13. I was this weirdo combination of somewhat smart and somewhat naive and totally, obnoxiously Christian.

My world view was quite small-coming from being kicked out of a Christian school in the sixth grade (long story) to then being home schooled for my seventh grade year. Public school started for me in the eigth grade and I wasn’t quite ready for jocks, druggies, band geeks and skateboarders.

I mean, they smoked cigarettes. Weren’t they all going to hell?

On top of my awesome judgmental attitude, overnight I went from being a skinny, flat girl to getting all my curves in one fail swoop. I was caught between wanting to still be a girl, but looking much more like a woman.

Large button up plaid shirts, loose jeans and Doc Martins became my wardrobe choice-I wasn’t comfortable with my new self.

I didn’t know who to align with, so I just decided to be everyone’s friend and hopefully-no one’s enemy.

But, by being everyone’s friend meant that I wasn’t really anyone’s friend. However, God in His infinite wisdom brought me the most wonderful friend and her name was Heidi.

Nope. Not this Heidi. A real live human being named Heidi.

Remember the scripture I was talking about earlier? “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (NIV, Romans 12:16)

While I was worried about my hair, how to walk down the hall and if James was going to talk to me today-Heidi smiled her way through the day, loving on everyone, not worried about who she associated with. She was the epitome of being Christ-like.

Who knew that years later, I would find Heidi via the great world wide web and she would also be a blogger (A Soul Laid Bare)?

She was wise beyond her years then and she continues to shape who I am today at age 34. Heidi showed me that it didn’t matter if you were popular, a nerd, or somewhere in between-you had value simply because you were you. She has no idea that she is what got me through high school.

Thank you, Heidi. I owe you.