Hold Fast to Dreams

                                       “Hold Fast To Dreams”
                                  “A Word For Our Graduates”

The following words penned by the poet Langston Hughes are laden with a word especially for our graduates:

                                        “Hold fast to dreams
                                         For if dreams die,
                                         Life is a broken winged bird
                                         That cannot fly.”                     

                                        “Hold fast to dreams
                                         For when dreams go
                                         Life is a barren field 
                                         Frozen with snow.”

Several years ago a friend presented me with the following words engraved on a beautiful piece of wood:          

          “A MAN IS NOT POOR WHO DOESN’T HAVE A CENT,
           A MAN IS POOR WHO DOESN’T HAVE A DREAM.” 

This is the time in the lives of many people when they will receive their diplomas affirming years of hard work, as they graduate from one phase of their educational pilgrimage.  I would hope and pray that as they hold a diploma their hand, they will hold a dream of what they desire to become in their heart. 

Dare to dream. Hold the dream close to your heart. Tend it each day. Remember the words of the poet - “a man’s reach should exceed his grasp or what’s a heaven for.”

How do dreams become realities?  I pray that the following words will help
make your dream come true. 

First of all believe the dream is possible.  God has a wonderful plan for your life. You are special in His sight and His desire is to enable you to become all you desire to become.  It is out of your relationship with God through Christ you will find strength for the journey, wisdom for the day and a light on your path when darkness falls. 

Surround yourself with people who will affirm you in the journey.   Affirmation is vital to ones emotional and spiritual growth.  Affirmation will enable you to believe that others also not only believe in you - they believe in your dream.  They believe you have the capacity to reach and grasp what some would call an unreachable star. These are people who see in you those qualities of character that will energize you as you strive each day to make your dream come true.  

When it seems as if the dream is broken, remember the words of The Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  God bless you in the journey.