Layers part 2 Lesson of the Onion -"Hope for the Bitter Soul"

For the first part of this story, please look at my post titled, "Scars and Layers"

My daughter and I were in the kitchen again. We had decided to make Beef Strogonoff, but we were trying to come up with enough onions. As we were digging through the onion bin, we noticed several useless specimens. One onion looked promising, but it had a green stem growing out the top.

As I sliced the meat, Stephanie proceeded to find more onions. She cut off the top of the 'growing onion', peeled it and sliced it down through the middle. When she handed it to me, she asked me if I wanted to keep the middle out of it. We both could see that most of the onion was in bad shape. I lifted the heart out of it and said, "This is the onion that had been growing isn't it? The middle is even in wimpy!" She replied, "Yes". "Just like a root of bitterness springing up", I observed. She shook her head saying, "I was thinking the same thing."

Well, I decided to dig down through the layers to see if I could salvage any of it; it was quite gross- greenish with white spots! Stephanie said, "Don't use that onion; it will ruin the taste of all the other onions." So right she was; for just like the onion, the bible warns us about the root of bitterness getting into our hearts. If we let bitterness in, it will take root; it will spring up and consume our hearts, and then that bitterness will spread to everyone we come in contact with. Like wise, our contacts will spread bitterness to others, and it will destroy many! It will ruin the tastes/hearts of others'.

Hebrews 12:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Let us guard our hearts, pursue peace and holiness, walk in forgiveness, and not become bitter towards people and circumstances. We don't want to be like the onion- all green and gross inside!
Unlike the onion, bitter people can have HOPE that Jesus will cleanse them from bitterness.