HE 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 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 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. "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 month later the bamboo
rose to over 100 feet tall.
It has 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." 
Friend, the only way to be truly satisfied is to
do what you
believe  is great work.
And the only way to do great work is to
love what you do."

*******************************

Acts 6:1-7

The Choosing of the Seven

5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Psalm 92:12-15 (New International Version)

13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,

15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.