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 six 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 brought 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.
Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad
days give you experiences; both are essential to life.
With Love, Kathy/simikathy.com
|