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?” HisHer answer surprised me. “Look around”, HeShe 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.” HeShe 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. “HeShe 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 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.”
HeShe 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.”
HeShe 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.” HeShe 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. HeShe will never give up on you. May You see this Wisdom and Do the same.
Bless everyday in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life. So, no matter how precarious your personal life is at this very moment, you will need to have faith and then act on specific areas of your life which needs attention. Just like the bamboo tree spent years growing strong roots, you must try to grow strong roots so you can rise high.
The bamboo and fern is a great story, which has been around for years. You must take something out of this story today. If you are broke today, it is so because 5 years ago, you did not anticipate this to happen. You did not plan for it. Don’t just live for today or this weekend. Plan ahead. Be like the fern, but be like the bamboo as well.
All this takes work. And lots of it. Even if you have everyday distractions like debt, illness or other personal and financial issues, set aside some time to build your roots. There is something called as ‘The Future.” - You must not ignore it. You must not face the future at the last moment when it arrives.
Anticipate its arrival very early on. Or, this world will pass you by and leave you far behind.
Bamboo Image : St Columban’s Mission Society
