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The Fern and the Bamboo
One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my
spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can
you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern
and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and
the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I
gave them
water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green
covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not
quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and
plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not
quit on the bamboo."
He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would
not quit. In year four, again, there
was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said. "Then in
the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the
earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and
insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo
rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing
roots. Those roots made it strong and
gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations
a challenge it could not handle."
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been
struggling, you have actually been
growing roots?" "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit
on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a
different purpose than
the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will
come", God said to me. "You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help
you see that God will never give
up on you. He will never give up on you !!.
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