The Story Of The Fern And The Bamboo
I wanted to thank Gary for this post today.....this is what Active Rain is all about.....so much more than just business.....a celebration of LIFE.....I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did.....
I have encountered myself and talk to people all the time that go through these stall, stuck, hung up, not making progress points and transitions in both their business and personal lives. It can be this huge frustrated quest in that they know where they want to go with for example their career, relationships, and spirituality, but they are not there yet. It is frustrating even for the most patient of us. You wake up some days and say, "Should I just quit?"
To them and to myself, to help you out that everything will be all right, I say to them, "Go to the woods and 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. 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 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!
Comments(4)