| The Fern And The Bamboo |
Jul 4, 2008 9:37 pm
161 Views | 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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5 Comments | |
| Just Stay: |
Jul 4, 2008 8:06 pm
186 Views | A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. 'Your son is here,' she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack; he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward , the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to is son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. 'Who was that man?' he asked. The nurse was startled, 'He was your father,' she answered. 'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied. 'I never saw him before in my life.'
'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'
'I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'
The next time someone needs you just be there. Stay! | |
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4 Comments | |
| Big Church Bash, Day Two |
Jul 4, 2008 5:09 pm
370 Views | Well the official first day of the party but some have gotten a head start, hahahaha. I got here with my brood a little after 11 as I know that I will be here until after the fireworks at 10 so the kids will be very tired as I am sure of it. The baby will not take a nap because of to much excitement in the air and my other two are hanging on though their eyes are very tired. Charie did not get a nap today so I picture by the time I pull out of here they will all be sleeping soundly.
Anyway lots of people here and still more to come as Pete and Sheri should be pulling in around midnight but I won't get to see them until tomorrow. Lots of pictures being taken by a lot of people so I am sure that there will be plenty of them going around for all of you to enjoy.
For our entertainment we have had, Ginny singing and dancing. Jean and Kent were singing and dancing together as well. Brad and I were singing for a bit. Jan and Ken were dancing on the floor in between all the kids who were dancing as well. Terrie is such a wonderful host. Jessie is out back with her kids by the pool with a lot of their family and friends. Most of the day the children are out in the pool and a few adults take turns going in the pool with the children.
Regina stopped by earlier in the day from Sarasota and was down for a few hours before heading back to her family at home. Glo has been relaxing and playing with little Billy. When Glo does not have the baby then Charie is trying to get him to fall asleep, so far today nothing is working. Alan has been around to make sure everything stays in running order.
There has been food galor to eat. I walk into a nice spread laid out and then they took that down and put up another spread for dinner time for all to eat. After that settled down we had cake and cookies and sang happy birthday to America and also sang the Star Spangled Banner which was nice.
Terrie has a lot of her family over as well and other then her son and daughter in law I do not know them all and they are not with big church so you probably do not know them either.
Several bloggers from all over have been calling at Terrie's and talking to different people here at the party. Unfortunately some may have called and not gotten through as their are over 40 messages on her phone right now, hahahaha. Right now they are all heading out to watch the sunset before getting back in time to start the fireworks show.
Now lets see did I forget anybody, I hope not, like I said about 30-40 people here but I do not know them all but very lovely to meet so many that up till now I have only read their blogs.
Forgive me if I left anything out up to this point. | |
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28 Comments | |
| Thought For Today |
Jul 4, 2008 12:20 am
219 Views | | Standing for what you believe in, giving more than you have and expecting nothing in return means selflessness. | |
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4 Comments | |
| Red Marbles, Grab A Tissue |
Jul 4, 2008 12:09 am
206 Views | I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?' 'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.' 'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?' 'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.' 'Good. Anything I can help you with?' 'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.' 'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller. 'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.' 'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?' 'All I got's my prize marble here.' 'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.. 'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.' 'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked. 'Not zackley but almost..' 'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy. 'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.' I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.
A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her, and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. 'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.' 'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.'
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath. | |
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6 Comments | |
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