Lesson from the Forest

© Photographer: Michaelsvoboda | Agency: Dreamstime.com
The Fern and the Bamboo

One day, I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, to quit myrelationships, to quit my spirituality; I even 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.He said, "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good careof them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew fromthe earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came fromthe bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.""In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. Andagain, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.""In the third year there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.But I would not quit.""In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.Still, I would not quit.""Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. Butjust 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 they could not handle,"He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you havebeen struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit onthe bamboo. I will never quit on you! Don't compare yourself to others.The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make theforest 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. Andremember...I will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will never giveup on you. I will never, ever quit on you."
Everyone has days when they want to "quit". When there arestruggles...obstacles in life, remember we're just growing roots!!
God has a purpose in mind for each one of us and we need to talk
to Him and let Him help us realize that purpose.

He will never quit on us. Psalm 103:2-5