My daughter, Melissa’s, story of forgiveness is a beautiful example that I point to and remember for myself. Here’s her story:
My son, David, was born 2 weeks before Melissa turned 2 years old. They grew up both tolerating and loving each other like most siblings. By teenage years, they were close friends until my son started making poor decisions in his life.
Melissa watched (and tried to help) as my David continued to go the wrong direction which in turn left our family in heartache. With all the turmoil, my daughter began being bitter and unforgiving toward her brother. At one of David’s lowest points, Melissa put her feelings aside and reached out to David in compassion. She extended forgiveness at a point when he deserved it the least. This gift of love from his sister mended their relationship. Where David had felt judgment and separation from Melissa, he felt restored by the love of his sister.
Here’s the rest of the story—about 6 months after this reunion of brother and sister, David had been walking on a positive path but suddenly passed away. The last 6 months of his life, he and Melissa enjoyed a loving relationship with lots of laughs and great memories that ended all too soon. At David’s funeral, Melissa wrote, “forgiveness is a gift you give yourself”. Little did she know at the time she extended it to David how much that gift of forgiveness would mean to her after his death.
Who do you need to forgive…