Cheer Up

THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO
~ Courtesy Neil Rohrs, avid listener and friend
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. 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.
But 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 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.'

Did you know, MY child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?
Don't compare yourself to others.'
I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you.

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, 'Rise as high as you can.'