Today is Friday, August 1st, 2008; Karen's Korner #1370
My oldest sister, Jan, and her husband, Fred, accompanied Jim and I for a three-day, two-night outing to Chicago last weekend. Among other things, we spent some time enjoying the sights, sounds, and odors of the Chicago Botanic Gardens. It is nearly 400 acres of interest and beauty.
While taking a guided tram ride tour, we learned that before the gardens humble beginnings in the middle 1960s, it had been talked about and worked on for more than sixty years before it became a reality! During the depression and the war, the group lost everything and had to start again.
I am not sure I would have been a part of a group for that long a time period! I probably would have convinced myself, "This thing will never work!" And I would have moved on to something else.
I am sure glad that God doesn't do that to me nor any of His Children; He never gives up on us! Praise God!!
***
This is something that our daughter, Jamie, emailed to us earlier this week; it has sort of the same kind of theme:
The Fern and 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 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 ground. 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 the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
But 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 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......
Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness.
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going
****
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