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To
Everything There is a Season: . A Time to Weep, A Time to
Laugh.
Ecclesiastes 3
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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.
The Fern and the Bamboo
(cont.)
"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. BE BLESSED.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun
without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the
tears, and light for the way.
# # #
Return HOME from the Fern
and the Bamboo
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