barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Thanks Lori for sharing this story.
The Fern and the Bamboo
One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationships, 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 grew quickly 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.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
He said, "In the third and fourth year there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But 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.
These 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."
God 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.... Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness. Bad days give you Experiences... Both are essential to life. Keep going...
Friends; A good friend gave me a copy of this story a few days ago and I wanted to share it with you. There was a time in my life, many years ago, that I quit on everything and everyone. I quit my job, my family, and I quit on God. Had God not intervened, I'm not sure where I might be today. For may years, He offered me forgiveness and redemption in which I totally refused. Finally, one day, in a small church in a small town, I surrendered my life to him and nothing has been the same since. My life took on a whole new meaning and through his grace and mercy I can be assured of where I will spend eternity. Sure, I still have good and bad times, but I don't have to let them get me down because God keeps me going and growing.
I hope that this little story will help any of you that have thoughts of quitting. Remember that you were created by God and for God, nothing else matters until you accept that fact.
Charles
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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