Life Lessons From The Chinese Bamboo Tree | Motivational Story
November 19, 2019
We all know God works in ways that we cannot fully imagine. Usually, when His ways are revealed to us we can see that He always has a purpose and a plan for us that is much better than we could ever have imagined. This inspirational short story behind why Chinese bamboo grows slow while ferns grow fast is a beautiful reminder of His wondrous ways. Enjoy life lessons from bamboo tree motivational story!
Life Lessons from Bamboo Tree | Story About Why Bamboo Grows Slow
One day I decided to quit. I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. And 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.
Life Lessons from Bamboo Tree
But 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 from 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 bring 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.
Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences. Both are essential to life. Keep going. Don't quit.
RELATED: 6 Powerful Truths From The Life Of John The Baptist
We hope you've enjoyed this inspirational short story about bamboo! Here are a few facts and inspirational quotes about bamboo before you go!
Quotes About Bamboo
- The young bamboo can be easily bent, but the full-grown bamboo breaks when it is bent with force. – Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
-
Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind. – Bruce Lee.
Facts About Chinese Bamboo
- Bamboo can be used as an alternative to harmful aluminum as an ingredient in antiperspirant deodorant. The bamboo extract is said to help absorb excess moisture without clogging pores.
- It has antibacterial properties. Bamboo has a bio-agent that the Japanese refer to as, “kun,” which resists the growth of bacteria on the fiber. This means that the garments made with bamboo fabric won't have to be washed as often, which saves energy! Bamboo fabric also has great wicking capabilities and dries much faster than cotton.
- Bamboo holds a Guinness Book of World Records title! The 2300-year-old strips of bamboo are on record for being the first decimal calculator! It also holds the record for being the fastest growing plant at a rate of 35 inches per day!
- Bamboo is strong! According to Newsweek, "It has greater tensile strength (or resistance to being pulled apart) than steel, and it withstands compression better than concrete."
- Some bamboo is edible. Of the 1575 known bamboo species worldwide, 110 species are recorded to have edible shoots. Bamboo must be boiled in order to be eaten.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man Born Without Limbs Encourages With 'If I Can' Motto - Short Inspirational Story Of Chris Koch
WATCH: Lessons From The Chinese Bamboo Tree
h/t: Facebook
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Comfort When Grief Feels Overwhelming - Your Daily Prayer - November 5
Grief can strike hard out of nowhere, and during the holiday season, it can be especially painful. But even in the heaviest moments, God offers His peace—a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Comfort When Grief Feels Overwhelming - Your Daily Prayer - November 5
Grief can strike hard out of nowhere, and during the holiday season, it can be especially painful. But even in the heaviest moments, God offers His peace—a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Past Stories
- Oldest Living Person in the US Passes Away at 115, After a Long and Faithful Life
- At Just 20 and 22 Years Old, These Two Sisters From Minnesota Saved Their Family Farm
- After Over 450 Days in a Shelter, Boone and Rellie Find Their Forever Home, Together
- Sweet Kitten Named Coraline Loses Both Her Eyes, but Inspires Many with Her Spirit
- Donny Osmond Sees the 'End of the Tunnel' Coming After Performing for Over 6 Decades
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
Top Music Videos
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson’s Powerful Live Performance of 'The Cross'
Brad Stine Has Issues Brad Stine’s Hilarious Take on Life After the Wedding
Oak Ridge Boys 'Jesus Is Coming Soon' The Oak Ridge Boys
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.