setup: [E-Mail Ministry] The Fern and the Bamboo

The following is an E-Mail Ministry message.

THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO

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.

"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 year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

"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 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.

"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, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He 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.

-- Author Unknown

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Visit our website at: http://www.emailministry.org

Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/E-Mail-Ministry/146699155358855
Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/EMailMinistry
Download the smart phone app (for iPhone, Android and/or Blackberry) at: http://localfreeapps.com/market/install.php?appid=220

HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? Send a blank e-mail to: EMailMinistry+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Messages are sent out on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Subscribe now, it's FREE!

HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE?

Sent via Google Groups: Send a blank e-mail to emailministry+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
Sent via Yahoo Groups: Send a blank e-mail to: EMailMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

If this message was forwarded to you from another person, please notify them that you are not interested in receiving any further messages.

LEGAL STUFF: E-Mail Ministry and its sponsor run this message as submitted and do not claim to own any copyright privileges on it. The work was submitted to us as an item for distribution, and it was posted solely on the basis of its quality. It is the belief of E-Mail Ministry and its sponsors that this message is in the common domain.

"E-Mail Ministry" is a trademark of E-Mail Ministry, Inc.
-- Doug Boebinger
-- The entire Staff of E-Mail Ministry