Just An Itty Bitty Bit?

We finally got to move the horses to a larger pen at the house in NM.  It is about an acre and a half in size and—MY GOODNESS!—what a difference in their attitudes after only a few days!  As I was feeding one morning I was lamenting in my mind about the many exposed roots and stumps that had been left by the person who was supposed to be building the fence and clearing the area.  On an impulse, I decided to go pull some of them out.

 

Well!  That was an exercise in frustration…
and back pain!!!  Not a single one came out with just the strength in my old arms!  So, I got the shovel and started digging.  When I had one uncovered enough that I could cut it below the ground level.  I sawed it off and smugly disposed of the freed offender in the wheel barrel to eventually become wood for the fireplace or outdoor fire pit.

Finally, there were only two left.  One looked like just a stump.  We had lots of these in the pen that I had already collected…they were easily dislodged with a kick.  
Whack!  
Owwwww!  
Not this one!  So I’m thinking:  It’s not that big, I’ll just dig it out like the rest.  With a couple of shovels full of dirt removed, I quickly became aware that the stump was attached to a root that wiggled the dirt almost two feet away.  I followed the wiggle and removed more sandy soil, only to discover the wiggle had moved another two feet away!  I kept digging and the wiggle kept moving.  Finally (at least 12 feet later), the soil stopped wiggling.  Apparently, the root turned downward.  With some effort I was able to clear a trench around the wood and with great effort sawed the root off.  (coming soon: see One Way Sharpness for more details)  As I reached down to triumphantly lift the monster, I was dismayed to discover that there were several tenacious side roots that still held it quite securely.  More digging, more sawing.  Finally, the log rolled free.  I packed it off thoughtfully.  I came back and filled in the trench and raked it down realizing it only left a slight scar on the land and after the next rain or wind, even that would be erased.

As I was hauling off that root, a scripture came to mind about a root of bitterness. 

  

“…Make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.”  (Hebrews 12:15 TPT)

“But God,” I argued, “don’t I have a right to have just a little bit of hard feelings after all we have been through?”  Then I hefted that root again.  It was not the little stump that was visible that had required so much effort to remove…it was all the other parts that were connected and initially invisible. 

The rejection and undeserved accusations we had suffered was nothing compared to Christ’s suffering of rejection and abandonment and ultimate crucifixion and he forgave them all—

“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:34 NIV)

I knew I had to forgive it ALL.  I could not allow even a little bit of frustration, anger or bitterness to remain.  No tenacious side roots that could affect others were allowed either!  If I was not willing to forgive it all, neither would the heavenly Father forgive me.  

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  Matthew 6:15 NIV  

It has been HARD.  As offenses are repeated and pile up, we must remind ourselves to rejoice (See Horse Apples, Patience and Perfection) and praise God in, for and through the situation.  And you know what?  He is strengthening us, giving us patience and making us perfect in Him. 

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”  Philippians 2:13 NLT (New Living Translation)

He is also filling in the trench and the scar on our hearts is just a reminder of what we have been through and his work of grace (unmerited favor) in our lives.

God’s answer to my question?   “No, not even a little itty-bitty bit!”

How about you?  Have you allowed a root of bitterness in your life? 

I implore you:  Dig it up! Cut it off!  Today!  And let joy replace that nasty old thing!