I chanced upon this article on a dear friend, Eejay's blog and could really identify with it. There are times in one's life when you feel that you are just going nowhere and each step you take results in you slipping 3-4 steps behind. I'm feeling that way this season of my life. It's not that I have been dealt with great hardship or sickness or anything like that. The struggle is more internal, having to press on to push through and complete what I had started in my architectural studies. It's not that I have no passion for it. I do, but there is some mysterious great inertia that is just holding me back. The experience is as if all sense of discipline had decided to leave me, and a great horde of procrastination trooped in to squat upon my heart. It's like I have fallen ill and need a great dose of determination to boost my health.
Well, I am not sure how many of you can identify with what I am saying, but if you can and are going through the same thing, may this little story bless you and encourage you to press on and not give up. [+]
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
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