The Fern And The Bamboo

The Fern And The Bamboo
"'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Hebrews 13:5 NIV


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.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author of today's devotion is unknown. It was submitted by Kay DeCarlo, Devotion Coordinator for Rest Ministries. Kay lives with her husband Joe and two furry dog-type children, Daphne Mae and Alice in Connecticut. Kay struggles with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Bipolar Disoder and Type 2 Diabetes.

Courtesy of Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals from Rest Ministries.

This Week's Affirmation for Those Living with Chronic Illness: I Am A Child of God

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then the Bible says you are a child of God! And, as a child of the Most High God and Creator of the Universe, you have an inheritance! You are a joint heir with Christ and you will join Him one day in Your Father's Kingdom. Isn't that awesome!

Yet, not only are you a joint heir with Christ, chosen to receive a heavenly inheritance, you have an earthly inheritance, as well. Jesus said, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10b No matter what circumstances surround you today, God has promised that He will never leave or forsake you. As His child, He looks at you through the endearing eyes of a loving Father, always there with arms wide open to comfort you in every situation. In 2 Corinthians 1:3,4, we read, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

Chronic illness may have changed the way you live your life on a day-to-day basis. Grant it, it has surely required you to learn to pace yourself, set limits, even discontinue some activities, and to rearrange your lifestyle. But it will never prevent you from being the person God created you to be! That's because God, as your ever loving Heavenly Father, in His wisdom, has a plan for your life. And He is working that plan to your advantage and for the good for all eternity! Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." God has given you a promise and, no matter what circumstances you face in this life, He will never go back on that promise! Your life is important and special! And He has an important purpose for you! You are His Child, unique and adored, and He wants to shine His light through you today, right where you're planted!

Some of God's richest blessings are bestowed through adversity. When we give, especially out of our own need, God has a way of blessing us immeasurably. So, no matter what limiting circumstances surround you, remember that God is still on His throne and that He is in control! You are His Child, whom He loves! He has gifted you with certain talents and abilities with which to share His love with others. And He has placed before you, even in the midst of chronic illness, opportunities to fulfill the very purpose for which you were created!

Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

May God bless you abundantly today and guide you to becoming all He created you to be!

Love in Christ,



Angela
Angela Dobbins
Christian Life Coach
True Life Strategies- Life Coaching with hope & heart
True Life Family Ministries



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Angela Dobbins is a Christian life coach who lives daily with the debilitating effects of Fibromyalgia, including chronic pain and fatigue. She is the devoted mother and aunt of one teenage daughter, a teenage niece, and two young nephews. As a Christian life coach with a background in nursing, she has dedicated her life to sharing God's love with others and to helping them discover His purpose and empowerment for their lives, no matter what their circumstances.