On quitting.

One day I decided to quit...I quit my responsibilities, my
relationships, 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." 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 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 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 left the forest and brought back this story. I hope
these words can help you see that God will never
give up on you.

He will never give up on you!

- Taken from Derekdieu's blog.