I Told Them Everything

what I shared with 100 high school students

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My name is Tanner Olson and I am an author, poet, and speaker. Here I share whatever comes to mind. Often I’ll post a prayer or poem or reflection or story. Before you move onto the next thing hit the subscribe button! Thanks for being here.

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With Lake Michigan to my back I stood in front of 100 something high school and college aged students on a Thursday night way past my bedtime. Feet from the waves a fire roared in the pit as smoke blew in every direction. All eyes were on me as I told them everything.

I didn’t know what else to share.

Let me back up.

For the second year in a row I was serving at Camp Arcadia as Co-Dean. Pastor Matt Popovits, Dean of the week, asked me if I would like to speak on Thursday evening. I said yes, but didn’t know what I would share.

So, I told them everything.

I told them about how half my age ago I was their age. 16, 17, 18. Somewhere around there. It doesn’t feel that long ago. 34 doesn’t feel old except when I walk up two flights of stairs or drink alcohol after 5 PM or look in the mirror. My hair is falling out and turning gray, but this pulls attention away from the wrinkles growing deeper around my eyes.

I told them about when I was their age I went on a mission trip to West Virginia. It was a week similar to the one we were having: serving, learning, and endless fun. High school me was full of emotions and questions and doubts. I wondered if Jesus was real. If he was who He said He was.

Soon, I would see.

On a Thursday evening we read John 13. I sat cross legged on the floor as I listened to the story of when Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. As we read it something came over me or through me, but either way I was changed. Isn’t this what the truth does? I put my face in my hands and broke down in tears. I don’t know what happened or how it happened, but I am glad it did. That night everything changed. Something flipped inside of me. A light went off. It was almost as if God tapped me on the shoulder and said, “See.”

And I did.

I told them about college.
I told them about how I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.
I told them about the exhaustion of not knowing and the joyless work of comparison.
I told them about jobs and relationships that didn’t work out.
I told them about depression.
I told them about how I didn’t have it all figured out and I still don’t have it all figured out.

I told them about the night I realized I wanted to be a writer.

January 9, 2010 at House of Blues in Orlando, Florida. I saw Anis Mojgani perform a poem. Words seemed to just flow out of him like light pours from the sun. 

As he spoke my insides shifted. Not like after you eat a bad burrito, but after you lock eyes with a beautiful girl or boy for the first time.

As he spoke it was like my heart and gut were playing tug of war with a lightning bolt that was wrapped in hope and discovery.

His words were honest and hopeful and refreshing and I wanted more, but I also wanted to do what he was doing in my own way.

That night everything changed. Something flipped inside of me. A light went off. It was almost as if God tapped me on the shoulder and said, “See.”

And I did.

I told them about plans not going to plan.

I told them about how I moved to Nashville to be a writer, but instead got a job at Chick-fil-A.

I told them how it wasn’t my pleasure.

I told them how sometimes what feels like a step back is really a step forward.

That sometimes when we ask God what’s next He gives us the answer we aren’t looking for.

I told them about the time I ran over a skunk with the windows down and the scent almost made me crash my car.

I told them about the time I saw someone throw away the center of a cinnamon roll. 

I told them about the Pandemic and how it almost ended my career as a full-time writer and speaker.

I told them about when my wife and I were told that we wouldn’t be able to have children.

I asked them, “Has something ever happened in your life that shuts off all the lights inside of you?”

And they nodded.

I told them about grief and waiting.

I told them how in our waiting God is working, how in our uncertainty God’s faithfulness remains certain.

I told them about Judah’s adoption.

I asked them, “Has something ever happened in your life that makes you fall to your knees and thank God?”

And they nodded.

And I almost cried, just like that night in West Virginia.

We talked about Peter walking on the water with Jesus.
How when Peter calls on Jesus He stretches out His hand immediately.
How Jesus tells the disciples to “Take courage” and we should, too.
How the disciples realize that Jesus is who he says He is: the Son of God. 

Something flipped inside of them. 

A light went off.

It was almost as if God tapped them on the shoulder and said, “See”

And I wanted to talk about when Daniel was in the lion's den.
I wanted to talk about when Jonah was in the belly of the great fish.
I wanted to talk about the woman who bled for 12 years.
I wanted to talk about David and Goliath.
I wanted to talk about Paul’s walk to Damascus.
I wanted to talk about the thief who hung next to Jesus on the cross.

But I had already talked enough.

We discussed how life won’t go the way you think it will go, but we will go on.

We go on trusting the tomb is empty and life is full.
We go on trusting Hope is alive and good continues to arrive.
We go on trusting the Son of God reaches out for us.
We go on trusting our sins are forgiven and we are free because of what Christ has done for us.

And then I paused the way you pause before you say something you hope is remembered. 

You do not need to know what happens next to take the next step forward with faith, hope and love.

It won’t go the way you think it will go, but we go on.

With faith.
With hope.
With love.

We go on.

And Christ goes with us.

I told them everything.

And I would tell again.

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A recent review of Walk A Little Slower:

“Your book put me to sleep last night. Like, in a good way. It lowered my anxiety and calmed right down. Slept amazing, bro!” - high school student

Grab a copy of Walk A Little Slower: A Collection of Poems and Other Words

Walk A Little Slower: A Collection of Poems and Other Words is a book of hope, honesty, and joy by Tanner Olson. This collection of more than 60 poems and writings will invite you to slow down, lean in, hold fast, and to keep going. In the midst of the uncertainty and unknown, the already and not yet, the hopes and fears, we can easily forget that life was meant to be enjoyed. Tanner Olson’s writing weaves together faith, questions, humor, and hope as he encourages you to walk a little slower.

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