The fern and the bamboo

One day, I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, to quit my relationships,
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.
"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."
"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. 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 they 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. 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. And remember...I
will never leave you, nor forsake you. I will never give up on you. I will
never, ever quit on you."

Everyone has days when they want to "quit". When there are struggles...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.
Always remember, He'll never leave us, He'll never forsake us, and He'll never
quit on us.

— Anonymous