{"id":6526,"date":"2012-05-07T06:00:26","date_gmt":"2012-05-07T10:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/beyondblue\/?p=6526"},"modified":"2012-02-09T14:00:31","modified_gmt":"2012-02-09T19:00:31","slug":"the-fern-and-the-bamboo-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/beyondblue\/2012\/05\/the-fern-and-the-bamboo-2.html","title":{"rendered":"The Fern and the Bamboo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"bamboo.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

A classic that I like to post on Beyond Blue<\/a> every now and then …<\/em><\/p>\n

One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality…. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.<\/p>\n

“God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”<\/p>\n

His answer surprised me.<\/p>\n

“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”<\/p>\n

“Yes”, I replied.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.<\/p>\n

“Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.<\/p>\n

Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.<\/p>\n

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.<\/p>\n

“Your time will come”, God said to me. “You will rise high.”<\/p>\n

“How high should I rise?” I asked.<\/p>\n

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.<\/p>\n

“As high as it can?” I questioned.<\/p>\n

“Yes.” He said, “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”<\/p>\n

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you.<\/p>\n

Never regret a day in your life.<\/p>\n

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.<\/p>\n

–Author Unknown<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A classic that I like to post on Beyond Blue every now and then … One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality…. I wanted to quit my life. 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