Saturday, June 30, 2007

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 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. 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. 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........ Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness.
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

Have a great day! The Son is shining!! God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.

2 comments:

Renee Romano said...

I thought this was so powerful!!! David Ganucheau sent it to a bunch of people on myspace and I thought it was just awesome! Just to set it straight...I am not in this story! I did not quit my job and I have not been in a relationship in a long time! haha! You never know what people will have going through their minds so I wanted to set that straight!

Love ya!
Renee'

Melissa Renee' said...

This is an amazing little story. Its so easy for someone who feels like they've served for a long time, paid their dues, prayed, fasted, even resorted to wearing sack cloth to separate themselves to God, won souls, discipled them, even watched them blossom into amazing leaders for Christ...and yet they themselves do not appear to be much further than when they started. So many times I've even asked God myself, am I not doing what you've called me to do? Is all of this in vain?? I know you've planted me, and I know you love me...my only desire is pleasing you and yet I'm still sitting in the same place with not much to show for it...However, patience produces endurance, and if you can wait it out, you'll be able to handle all of the special and amazing things that will come all at once and so fast due to your patience...your character will THEN be able to handle it all! I take it as an opportunity to have come through all the "junk" I've come through because now I see how God was only strengthening my character to be able to handle all He has given to me in the past six months!