Dear friend, how do you feel when your dreams seem impossible, not because they’re unrealistic, but because life has stripped so much from you that fear overshadows your hope? It feels like it’s too late for dreams.
And how do you feel when someone dear to you confirms that fear? When they say with their words- or their actions- that you’re not enough, that it’s too late for your dreams?
What you’re about to read may surprise you. It might hurt. It might make you pause. But it will also inspire you- to dream again, work harder, and trust that God never gives up on your story.
Too Late for Dreams? Theresa Appiagyei’s Story Begins
Theresa Appiagyei, a 27-year-old woman in her prime, has lived a life marked by pain, betrayal, failure, and rejection. Her journey has been anything but easy. She’s battled Goliaths, stood before Pharaohs, and fought friendly foes. Life’s weight nearly broke her. Such experiences can make you lose your self-esteem and drain all your hope.
“All my life, I’ve felt like a failure. It seemed like everyone else was moving forward while I stayed stuck. The more I tried, the more I failed. I lost my confidence. I lost my self-esteem. At one point, I sat down and asked myself, ‘Can anything good come out of me? What’s the point of living? Nothing is working.’”
Fighting to Return to School Against All Odds
Tessa, as her friends call her, couldn’t continue her education immediately after high school. The reasons were both financial and personal. But years later, after staying home and working for a while, the fire in her heart to pursue university lit up again. So, she bought admission forms and applied. Even after several rejections she tried again and again.
“I always wanted to further my education. I kept buying forms. It wasn’t that my grades were bad, but I kept getting rejected. This year, I bought forms for KNUST but never heard back. I applied to Cape Coast Technical University– and finally, I got in. But coming to school wasn’t easy.”
When Her Father Said It Was Too Late for Dreams
That admission letter felt like hope printed on paper. An assurance of a bright future. But when she showed it to her father, the response crushed her spirit. Imagine your dream being shattered by your own father?
“I showed my dad my admission letter, and he said my schooling days were over, that he wouldn’t invest in me anymore.”
That moment changed something in Tessa.
Carrying the Weight of a Firstborn
Tessa is the firstborn in her family. Like many firstborns, she has faced intense pressure to be perfect, to succeed, to be an example for her younger siblings. But Tessa never had things easy. Instead, she endured the sting of being overlooked, especially when her father had sponsored her younger sister’s university education instead.
Her siblings also misunderstood her kindness as weakness. Yet she kept loving them. Even though she felt disappointed by her father’s unkind words, she didn’t give up. This time, she wasn’t letting go so easily. She was going to have faith in God and trust him to care of her.
“I never gave up. Something in me kept on telling me that I should not let this go. That I should push through.”
How God Made a Way When It Seemed Impossible
Just when she thought her dream was slipping away—God made a way. Certainly, God, had planned everything for her. He showed up and rained abundance of joy in her life.
“One way or the other, God brought people into my life. One person paid my tuition. Another paid for my hostel. Someone else helped with feeding. I honestly don’t know how it happened. But God came through.”
Overcoming Fear and Starting Over
Even after gaining admission, it wasn’t easy. She was under a lot of pressure to not destroy her hard-won opportunity. Fear gripped her as first semester exams approached. What had faith had instore for her?
“Returning to school after being home for years was tough. Even preparing my mind to study was difficult. During exams, I was nervous. But I prayed, God, if You’re the one who ordered my steps, give me a testimony with my results. And that prayer changed everything.”
God’s Timing is Never Too Late
God, who made all the plans for her had honored her faith to carry her through to the end.
“When my results came, I realized God was taking me through a process. His timing is not the world’s timing. I now understand that even the delays were part of His plan.”
Right as we spoke, Tessa received an email: she had been awarded a government scholarship.
God is good.
Faith That Moves Mountains
With tears in her eyes and gratitude in her voice, she reflected on the role of her faith.
“When my father rejected me, I told God, I believe in You. Lead the way. I didn’t know He had already prepared people ahead of me. If I had given up like I usually did, I wouldn’t have gone to school. But this time, I believed.”
The Power of Psalm 23 in Her Journey
“Psalm 23 is my secret.”
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…”
Those words have sustained her, and they still do.
It’s Not Too Late for Dreams: It’s God’s Perfect Timing
Tessa, ends her story as she declares that God’s timing is the best.
“God’s timing is the best. As humans, we feel pressured when things delay. We feel like it’s too late. But what looks late to men is right on time with God.”
Words to Carry With You
Two quotes I’m leaving with you as you end this story.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said,
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
And the Bible reminds us,
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Final Encouragement: Never Let Go of Your Dreams
Whatever your dreams may be, don’t give up on them. Pursue them with intent and with all your heart. Then, let God do the rest. He will never fail you.
Stories like Tessa’s remind us that even in our darkest hour, God is still writing something beautiful. Maybe today, you needed this reminder. But perhaps someone else does too. Someone who feels like it’s truly too late for their dreams.
So please, if this story touched you in any way, share it on WhatsApp, Facebook, or wherever your voice carries. It might be the lifeline someone else is waiting for. And, please, don’t forget to leave a comment. I know that sometimes we don’t feel like leaving any comments after reading a post on the internet. But your words might echo someone’s silent prayer.
Also, kindly join my newsletter family. I share more real stories like this, filled with faith, hope, and truth to fuel your journey.
Don’t underestimate the power of a story shared at the right time. Want to share your story with me? Hover over my contact page and send me an email. Let’s connect.
