Never, never, never give up.

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 you", 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 grew quickly from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the earth. 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 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", He 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 one hundred 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 it could not handle."

He asked me, "Do 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 and brought back this story. I hope that these words can help you see that God will NEVER give up on you.

Never, never, never give up.

Author unknown

When you know how much God loves you—you will learn to like and love yourself. Become rooted and grounded in God’s love so you will be at peace and succeed at being yourself.  

Psalm 62:5 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him."

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