One day she decided to quit ... quit her job, her relationship, her spirituality... she wanted to quit her life.
She went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
She went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", she said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised her...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", she 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 six months later the bamboo rose to over a hundred 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 her. "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 her “You will rise high!”
“How high should I rise?" She asked.
“How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?” She questioned.
“Yes.” He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”
She left the forest and brought back this story to me … and I was so proud of her the moment I read her story … I knew she has it in her … She is my bamboo shoot … She is my only shooting star carrying unfulfilled wishes of her own; she has come so far … she can’t go back where she used to be ... but still a whole new World! Yes a whole new world is waiting for her!
You will rise as high as you want... and will bring glory to God and to all of us … God will never give up on you … my lil princess!
