There are days when nothing seems to be working, nothing going your way & life seems an uphill struggle.
You just feel, is it really going to be worth it, worth all the trouble, worth all the pain & you feel it is time to quit & move on.
Mostly at these times, I always remember a small story my Father shared with me a long time ago.
“God”, I asked, “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 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 asked 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.
Never, Never, Never, Give up!!
Don’t quit, God will give you at the right time. His timing is never wrong.
Stay Blessed forever!