By Rhonda Stinson
In the spring, I noticed tons of white-flowered trees everywhere. I pointed them out to the residents at a local nursing home program and one woman said they were a type of pear tree. They said it looked like snow across the field. There were so many this year as compared to others years! I happen to think they look weedy, but found out that many people prefer this type of ornamental tree.
After researching this tree, I found out that Ohio will ban sale of these ornamental pears beginning in 2023 because they are so invasive. They spread easily and multiply like rabbits and kill other plants and trees. They also bloom earlier than many other trees and consume the natural resources leaving little for others. It has an extensive root system and even if it is cut down, seeds can fall off the tree and remain for 11 years.
Unforgiveness, like the ornamental pear, is invasive. It will develop strong roots as you hold onto it. Think about the devastation unforgiveness causes in your own life and those around you. I can remember a time in my life when I refused to forgive my brother. He had done so much damage to me, my parents, and his friends that I felt that I had a good reason to house unforgiveness. I even began holding a grudge toward my parents because they wouldn’t believe me when I tried to explain how deceptive and manipulative he was. The invasive species became stronger and stronger. It choked out relationships with those around me and made me feel angry and bitter all the time. I couldn’t even stand to talk to or be around my brother. I felt, if I decided to forgive him, it would mean I was wrong about him, that he would be permitted to run over everyone.
That conclusion was highly erroneous. Unforgiveness was actually an invasive species called Satan. He attempted to take over my life and the lives of my family. After a hateful and bitter confrontation with my brother, God spoke to me through a passage in my devotion the next morning. “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5.
It hit me like a ton of bricks. The Lord was telling me to forgive. But how? I prayed for God to soften my heart and break down the wall of hostility between me and my brother. I wrote a letter to my brother, gave it to him, and asked him to forgive me. He accepted the letter and I hugged him. I finally saw the plank in my eye.
Unforgiveness is sin. It was hindering my relationship with God and others. When I forgave it was like a dam being opened. Living water began to flow and I felt like I had been freed from bondage. From that day forward, our relationship has blossomed. We hug, say I love you, and spend family time together. I now have a deep God-given love for my brother! God didn’t ask me to forgive only if Brad changed, He called me to change and forgive. God got rid of the invasive mutant species and planted a beautiful magnolia tree.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NIV.
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” Mark 11:25 NIV.
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