"Onion"

Like layers of an onion,

We peel them slowly back,

Not unlike forgiveness,

And finding grace you lack.

We know we should forgive them,

And choose to let hurt go,

We then start feeling better,

And the Holy Spirit’s flow.

But then we have a memory,

It’s triggered by a song,

Or something someone says to us,

Bad, old feelings wrong.

We find another layer,

A deeper level heal,

We choose again to let it go,

No matter how we feel.

And with the deeper layers,

The deepest healing goes,

The freedom of forgiveness,

And from your heart it shows.

The longer we are honest,

The layers one by one,

Reveal to us what’s heavy,

The weights drop and are done.

Like layers of an onion,

Though they may make us cry,

Are always worth the trouble,

To bid past hurt good-bye.

“Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others…” (Col. 3:13, NLT)

Forgiveness is a non-negotiable, but it may be the most challenging things God calls us to do. The motivation springs from the reality of our own forgiveness. God forgives us, so how can we not forgive others? We know it’s true in our hearts, but still…Someone has suggested that if we depend upon our emotions, we will remain stuck in the bitterness of reliving our hurts over and over. Something more is needed, and that is making a righteous choice.. If we choose to forgive, God will fill our willingness with His healing energy. His strength is perfected in our weakness. And, thank God, it doesn’t all have to be dealt with at the same time. It happens sequentially in layers, and as those are exposed to the light of grace, can be healed. What old hurt is holding you back and weighing you down? It’s time to let it go, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, help us to forgive others as freely as You have forgiven us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.