Don’t ever give up!
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 asked, ‘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 year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, 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 asked 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 left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give up. (this sure has been my lesson this last year).
For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don’t tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!
(author unknown)
Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. No matter how I feel, I know what is true. I know during those difficult times you were developing my roots for when the storms blow. May I always be firmly planted in you. Amen
Bless you dear one.
What a wonderful post! Thank you for this!
My favorite quote:
Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
Sir Winston Churchill
Your post reminded me of that quote. Thanks for sharing that lovely story.
Great Post and Joan thank you for reminding me of the Winston Churchill quote. It seems sometimes that we are willing to give up (for whatever reason) to the wiles of the enemy…and yet have a difficult time surrendering to our Lord and Savior…So thank you so much for this post that shows how our Lord NEVER gives up on us.
In His Love,
Debrah
AMEN! AMEN! and AMEN!!!
Thank you so much precious sister Laurel! What a fabulous reminder not to compare and quit, but to always remember, we’re all uniquely made by our creative Creator and therefore have unique purposes of His to fulfill…which includes for all of us…to use every gift and talent He’s given to point to Christ and salvation found only in Him. Our lives are His best testimony!
2 Corinthians 3:2-3
“You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered to us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”\
Much grace and peace be to you dear sister,
Sunny
He must be still working on my roots!
Thank you for the reminder!
Oh, how He keeps working on my roots. Not pleasant, but oh, so sweet and He is so loving. Thanks for this post. The quote one person gave of Winston Churchill was great too. Went right along with your post. Have a great day in the Lord.
How timely this post was for me. It’s a great reminder that our God is so capable and beyond what our finite minds can grasp. There’s nothing that is impossible for Him. When I struggle with my challenges, not knowing what the answers are or feeling insignificant, I know I can go to my Heavenly Father. He already knows but privileges me with the ability to pray and speak directly to Him. WOW; it’s beyond my pea brain!
Oh Laurel,
‘Don’t compare yourself to others.’ He said. Amen.
I, too, have had this message deeply on my heart. Thank you.
Amen. Thank you so much Laurel, I love this post.
Laurel…only God and my sister Aimee knew I had thoughts of quitting a few things just this morning. Writing for one. My job for another. Since I like to eat…the job— I must do. Since I love to write…but feel so BLANK….then I will continue on the floor on my face to HIM for the WORDS to write. —Thank you for posting this…even though I had read it somewhere before—-I KNOW without doubt….it was PLANTED here today by Him through YOU.
Thanks girlfriend.