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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Your Story Matters

A year ago, I made up my mind to run for student body president. When campaigns began, I was confident in my platform. I wanted to bring change to this campus. Unfortunately, I lost. I was upset. I was angry. I was frustrated in something that I had worked very hard on.

A year ago, I was under the impression that the only way that changes could be made on campus was by being Student Body President.

Today, I made a change on campus without being student body president. I made a change on campus without having to ask anyone's permission. I made a change on campus by being a small, moving part to a Student Activities Committee.

Today, we observed, for probably the first time in campus history...World Suicide Prevention Day. We had an event during the last 10 minutes of chapel where we informed people about world suicide prevention day. We showed a video. And then I was invited on stage to share my heart.

Normally, college students are hard to keep quiet. They don't necessarily care about what is happening in Chapel...and for 10 minutes, no one said a word. The entire place was silent - listening intently to my heart which soon rang true for their hearts too.

Afterwards, I invited students to walk outside, grab a sharpie from our table, and write Love on their arms. Needless to say, sometimes events at HPU are hit and miss. I had already made up my mind that only a handful of students would participate. I was preparing myself for the worse yet as I walked outside, I wasn't even aware of where our table was set up because there were so many people.

I am in awe of the hearts on this campus who have listened to the call that Jesus Christ has put in our lives. I am in awe that people were interested in being informed about suicide.

All these jumbled thoughts to say that you don't have to be president to make things happen. You don't have to be a leader on campus to make things happen. You just have to want change. You just have to need change. You just have to be the change you want to see.

And if you are someone who struggles with suicide, know that you are loved. And that no one can take your place. Your story matters.

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