Forgiveness between daughter and father

On pp. 130-131 of "Getting Anger Under Control," Neil T. Anderson shares a woman's story of amazing grace:

When I was young, I was sexually abused by my father. This wasn't a frequent event by any means. I only remember it happening once. I don't recall details, but I remember enough to know that things happened that shouldn't have happened between a father and daughter. When I was saved in 1988, I was 35 years old. I felt a release from anger almost immediately. There was an internal peace I had never known.

However, seven years later I found myself still struggling around my father's birthday and Father's Day -- those occasions that required a card or call. I never was able to pick a card that said 'I love you' or any other intimate sentiment. It was troubling to me, and so finally one day during my devotions I brought this up to the Lord. I asked, 'Lord, why do I go through these struggles around these times?' The answer came quickly and clearly. It was simply, 'You don't respect him.' I started to object, laying all the groundwork for the argument that 'one needs to earn respect,' and so on.

I realized after a few minutes how useless my arguments were. All I heard was silence. I asked the Lord, 'Is this a sin against You?' Again, the response was quick and clear. 'Yes.' I felt devastated, but at the same time free. I confessed the sin, and then the Holy Spirit graciously flooded me with memories of the times my father had done things that deserved my respect, but I had deliberately withheld it.

Within a few weeks of this experience, I was talking to my dad on the phone. TALKING! We had never had a conversation before. This conversation lasted almost 15 minutes! That was the longest I had ever talked to my dad. At the end of the conversation we both said that we loved each other. It wasn't just words, but something we both felt sincerely.

My dad passed away this past February, which was about four years after that devotional time. When I was visiting him in his last few weeeks, I asked him for forgiveness for the times I was unkind and disrespectful. I also told him that I forgave him. I didn't go into detail of what it was I was forgiving him for; it was sufficient that we both knew. The very next day I asked him if he would pray to Jesus and ask for forgiveness of his sins. He did! I praise God for this, as he had always been extremely resistant to the gospel. I praise God for the words He gave to me at the end of my dad's earthly life. I have peace knowing that my dad is with God now and that I will see him again in eternity.

If this woman can forgive her father, we surely can forgive those who have hurt us.