Original Article Source - http://www.achatandchew.com/?p=268
“The root of bitterness is hard to ‘pluck up’ because we feel justified in our feelings; after all, we were wronged.” Glen Warren, Sr.
I grew up on a farm where most of our food was “home-grown”. We always had a large garden, where various vegetables were planted; we ate some and canned the rest for the winter months. My father would always have a special place, in the garden, where he planted watermelons for us. We all loved to eat watermelons, including my father.
After the watermelon seed was planted, it would take a few weeks before we could see any growth. We couldn’t see the roots nevertheless, it was still growing. Then one day, we would begin to see the vine sprouting up, just above the ground, and we were very happy because the watermelons would soon follow. A few more weeks on the vine and little watermelons would be visible; in just a few more weeks, the watermelons would be ripe enough to pull and cut. And our taste-buds would be ready!
When a seed is planted in the right soil, it will take root; with water and sunlight, it will grow and eventually become ripe fruit. We all understand that principle. The same principle applies, when a seed is planted in our hearts; it will take root and grow to become ripe fruit, as well.
Bitterness is sometimes a seed that has been planted in the soil of our hearts, as result of the actions of others, or a bad experience in our lives. We can’t see the root, but it’s there growing and as we dwell on (feed and water) those hurt feelings, in a few days, or a few weeks, or a few months, or even a few years, people will see the fruit of bitterness in us, in the form of anger, malice, resentment and sometimes even hate, just to name a few.
In his book, Lee: the Last Years, Charles Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, “Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it.” It is better to forgive the injustices of the past, rather than let them remain; allowing bitterness to take root and poison the rest of our life. It’s not possible to go through life without being hurt by someone and what’s frustrating is that when we have been hurt, the person who caused it goes on as though they’ve done nothing wrong. Often times, they don’t even apologize and seem to suffer no ill consequences for their actions, the result is bitterness. “The root of bitterness is hard to pluck up because we feel justified in our feelings; after all, we were wronged.”
Another story is told of a very bitter woman, who was bitten by a rabid raccoon. Tests were performed and the doctor concluded and informed her that she had rabies. She then got a notebook and began writing down names. The doctor asked if she was making a will. She replied, NO! I am making a list of all the people I am going to bite! Please don’t be like the lady in this story!
In the evening, after the watermelon was cool, my father would cut it and serve us until our bellies were full!
Watch out for the root of bitterness, unlike the watermelon, it can be harmful to you and the loved ones you are serving.
Original Article Source - http://www.achatandchew.com/?p=268
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