don't give up!

Sometimes in the midst of our trials, we just want to give up. There is simply no point in going on anymore. No one understands. No one cares. The suffering is too hard to bear. We don't understand what's happening to us. We see no light at the end of the tunnel. We become discouraged. Even God seems to have given up on us.

I pray that the following story will encourage you to persevere & not give up when you go through hard times in your life.

The fern & 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 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."

"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."

"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.
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.
Whether you are a fern or a bamboo,
Never, Never, Never Give up.

nothing can separate us from the love of God,
sockkim