Girls look at the ladies around you. We were all girls once. We had crushes on cute boys. We wore ponytails in our hair. Some of us were tall for our age or small for our age. Some of us made good grades and some of us did not make good grades. Some of us know what it is like to go to bed hungry because there is not enough food in the home. Some of us were shy and quiet, some of us liked to fight and got into trouble. We were like you in many many ways; and like you, all of us had dreams and hopes for our lives. We want to remind you to hold onto your dreams, hold onto your hopes.
This year has been very challenging for me and my family. But as I recall the challenges, I remember the moments when I thought hope was lost - when I thought dreams would have to be forsaken. But instinctively and by the grace of God, I held onto my hope. I realized and really learned that I could not place my hope in things, or in places, in people, or in achievements. But instead, I remembered that my hope always had to be in God. Although God is full of grace and mercy to allow me to have hopes and dreams; He reminds me that He has to be my hope.
So today, I am able to hope in the plans He has for me. See, His hope for us is founded in His plan of salvation, a personal relationship with Him, and eternity spent with the Savior.
God never gives up on us. So, I would simply ask the girls in the room to hold onto and don’t give away your dreams, don’t give away your hope. Don’t give up, but hold onto hope. Remember that you are strong, so be strong. God could not complete creation until He had formed you. You mean the world to Him. Have faith in the plans God has for you. Have faith that in each challenge, each struggle, and each triumph that God is working His plan for you.
Sometimes, when I see little girls, I envision the beautiful, talented, and mature women they will become! The remarkable realization about my journey this year has been that it was my relationships with women and my interactions with girls that has helped me to hold onto my dreams and to hold onto my hope. Yes, at 46 (56 now) years old, I still have them. So, hold on and don’t give up on your hopes and dreams. Your dreams will be found if you continue on your personal journey. Nurture the girl inside of you and continue to have faith in God’s plans for you.
Thank you Lord for Your everlasting love and Your abounding mercy in dealing with me. Thank you BonBon and LJ for the hugs, kisses, and smiles and for never taking it easy on mom. I love you.
November 2, 2010