Families love reasons to celebrate, and graduations in particular are special seasons of life. They swell a parent’s heart with pride at the accomplishments of their child. Graduation day for our son represented a “way out there” dream for me. In our son’s younger years I had allowed myself to envision him strolling across the stage in a cap and gown. But as he grew there were many years during which I hardly dared to entertain this dream. It was just too big, too grandiose, perhaps even completely audacious and out of reach.

Even allowing myself to imagine this moment never failed to elicit an emotional response in my heart. Each year in May I would attend our high school’s graduation to witness the commencements of nieces, nephews or friends’ children. As I listened to the names being called and watched the graduates cross the stage one by one, tears would come to my eyes at the mere thought of our son one day crossing that stage himself. How could I dare dream that a child with Down syndrome might be able to graduate? At the time, this was unchartered territory.

In my doubt and fear, I would reflect again on the character God remembering the praise time each week at my Moms in Prayer group where we always spend a few moments praising God for who is … trustworthy, sovereign, all-powerful, faithful and good. I believed God loved my son even more than I did, and I could trust God with the plans for my child.

Before we knew it, the big day arrived! As his name was read, our son crossed the stage to receive his “diploma,” and I was enveloped and overwhelmed by the goodness of God.

This verse sums it up for me: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” Ephesians 3:20-21

Take time in prayer to give your fears, your hopes and your dreams to God. He is the One who is able to go beyond our expectations.

Here’s a verse to get you started: “For ____ is God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for _____ to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Still hangin’ on to dreams,

–Linda Aalderink