The Many Thoughts of Wanda Kidd

When I left Western Carolina University as a Campus minister, I wrote this list of things I wanted my student to remember about Jesus, themselves and the world. The list came from years of listening to young adults talk about the things that plagued them and the issues that they were trying to work out. Young Adults are such enigmas. They are walking paradoxes; So filled with hope and promise and paralyzed by self-doubt and fear. It has been such a privilege to walk with them as they have sorted out who they are in relationship to the smallness and vastness of God’s creation. To be able to tell them that they are Be-loved was and is a necessary calling of ministry. I could never assure them often enough that just because they BE they are LOVED- not because of something they had to do or accomplish; they are simply BELOVED. Just their existence is all it takes to be loved. I never told a gathering that truth that someone did not have tears slipping down their face. It is so important to hear the words. What a wonderful world it would be if we could each embrace that truth and share it with others and see it as foundational to all the other things we stack up on this experience called life.

1. Know that you are a beloved child of God, and we know that, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. Embrace the Truth even if it makes you cry, uncomfortable or fearful.

3. Know that everyone is NOT going to like you and that is OK.  There are people I am glad do not like me.

4. Do not be paralyzed by fear- Action based on courage and love is what makes life an adventure.

5. Learn to laugh at yourself and with others– Make sure your laughter is an instrument of joy and not a weapon used toward others or yourself.

6. Ask “Why” about things you do not understand.  There is usually a reason people do things other than to just make you mad or hurt your feelings.

7. Look for Christ in everyone you meet.  He is not obvious in everyone, but He is present just the same.

8. You cannot always be invisible, sometimes you must be the hands and feet for Jesus and that will make you a target.  When you are a target, it is best to be a moving one.

9. Conversely, we are not the center of the universe, and everything is not about us.  Most of the time we are not even on some else’s radar when we assume the things they say or do are personal

10. Know that others DO see Jesus in you even if they do not think they know Jesus.  The idea that we get to decide if others to see Jesus in us is erroneous; others are judging Jesus by our actions, whether we like it or not.

11. Jealousy is never a sign of affection, Do not confuse jealousy with love. it is always a sign of low self-esteem and you cannot fix that for someone else. I do not care how they apologize for hurting you, I do not care if they tell you that you are the only one who understands them, you cannot fix them.  Point them toward help with compassion but from a distance or you will both drown in their pain.

12. Measure yourself by Christ and not others.  If you measure yourself  only by what others think of you,  you will eventually be hurt and disappointed. They did not create you and cannot judge you in a way that defines you.

13. Go in Peace, Go is hope and Go in Love through Jesus Christ our Lord.