Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Chinese Bamboo Tree Parable

I love this parable. It's a good 'keep doing what you're doing and just hang in there' parable:


"In everything you do in your family, keep in mind the miracle of the Chinese bamboo tree. After the seed for this amazing tree is planted, you see nothing, absolutely nothing, for four years except for a tiny shoot coming out of a bulb. During those four years, all the growth is underground in a massive, fibrous root structure that spreads deep and wide in the earth. But then in the the fifth year the Chinese bamboo tree grows up to eighty feet!

"Many things in family life are like the Chinese bamboo tree. You work and you invest time and effort, and you do everything you can possibly do to nurture growth, and sometimes you don't see anything for weeks, months, or even years. But if you're patient and keep working and nurturing, that "fifth year" will come, and you will be astonished at the growth and change you see taking place.

"Patience is faith in action. Patience is emotional diligence. It's the willingness to suffer inside so that others can grow. It reveals love. It gives birth to understanding."


From The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey (pp. 22-23)



Today's application: Repeat after me..... "But if you're patient and keep working and nurturing, that "fifth year" will come, and you will be astonished at the growth and change you see taking place.", and then repeat, repeat, repeat, till you believe it:)

3 comments:

  1. I love this.. Sadly patience is one of my worst.. I am becoming better, but still a daily personal struggle. Thank you for all you do for this blog, I love coming and getting my spiritual inspiration daily, even if I don't get to comment all the time. Thanks :)

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  2. Awesome Mantra! I loved the story and will keep that in my mind as I struggle with patience.
    Blessings to you for sharing that today. LeAnn

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  3. Yep, this is a good one to remember. We cannot see the way things are going to end. We tend to see what is right here and now. Sometimes, we just need to have a little faith and trust in Him.

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