September 17. 2025 "I just want to stand by something good."

Waking up this morning, I prayed God would tamp down the the low level anxiety that was clouding my thoughts.

The first day back to school.  

We gathered 120 dozen donuts and a bunch of pastors clad in t-shirts that said “You are so loved.”  We stationed ourselves in four locations around campus and armed ourselves with our own prayers and the prayers of all of you.

There were smiles, tears, and apprehension on students faces as we offered them donuts, prayer and an invitation to our worship night on Friday night.

At one station a student walked past one of our table several times.  They asked if he wanted a donut.  He said he didn’t want a donut, but was pretty rattled.  

He explained that he just wanted to stand by the staff and students working at the table because, “I want to stand by something good.”  

One of our student leaders, Jonas, offered to pray for him and he accepted.

At a different station, our pastor, Clinton, asked a student that obviously looked like he wasn’t doing well, “How are you doing?”

The student proceeded to explain, “Not good.  I was there.  I have my t-shirt with blood stains on it at home.”

All Clinton could say was, “Can I pray for you?”

The student responded, “Not now.  If you do, I’ll cry and I don’t want to cry in front of everyone.”

There are no words to explain the grief that some of these students feel, and what an honor it was to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them on campus today.  

Tomorrow we will return with “Otter Pops” - the Utah name for the popsicles that some people call freezy pops, freeze pops, or ice pops.  We will hand out the rest of our invitations to Friday night worship night.  Thank you for all of your prayers!