Before I started this blog I was writing for a blog on the Family Worship Center - Algoma Campus website. This is a copy of one of those posts with links to the original blog.
One Day I Decided To Quit
Originally Posted Apr 23, 2020
Original Blog Post
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 seed I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern grew quickly from the earth. It’s brilliant green covered the ground. 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 continued, “In year three there was still nothing for the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I will not quit.” He said. “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. It looked small and insignificant compared to the fern… but only six 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 need to survive. I would not give any of my creations, a challenge it could not handle”
He said to 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 hope these words can help you see that God 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.
He will never give up on you.
A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It is not a coincidence. It happens because of our decisions and actions. And every day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we created out own unique journey. Keep going… don’t give up!
Happiness keeps you sweet,
Trials keep you strong,
Sorrows keep you human,
Failures keep you humble,
Success keeps you glowing,
But ONLY GOD keeps you going!
