“If Not For Grace” — What is grace? How big is grace? How is grace given? Who qualifies to receive it? The Lord granted me new glimpses into what heavenly grace really is as I volunteered at If Not For Grace Ministries’ Reconciliation Weekend.
As I looked at the parents grieving and facing very painful, but healing, questions (answered through scripture and prayer), I was moved in my heart by the heaviness and oppression that death from abortion had laid on them. Abortion had robbed these parents of being able to honor those children as real lives, who could have made a difference in this world. They were each uniquely created children who were precious to the Lord, and still are.
The thing is that we are also God’s children – believers in Jesus Christ, the One and Only Lord of All. Our commitment to him is out of complete gratitude for what He has done already, even before our commitment to follow Him. There is no sin that He can’t forgive. There is no evil that he cannot and will not overcome. Therefore, Jesus Christ, our Triune God, is our constant hope.
David Jeremiah, in a daily devotional (Turning Point Ministries) states it this way:
“In times of loss, it’s necessary to grieve, process the pain, ask questions, and allow ourselves to cycle through natural human emotions. But all the while, we can cry out to the Lord. When overwhelmed, we can pray, “Lead me to the rock that is higher I.”
There is a place higher than where we are. The Lord is there, lovingly in control and grieving with us, yet healing us, when we seek Him with all our heart. His truths in scripture can be trusted. His purposes will be accomplished. His grace is free, through our debt being paid on the cross by Jesus. We aren’t able to earn it. We have to admit our inability to battle evil and sin without Him. He will help us look forward, not back.
The Lord met those parents at Reconciliation Weekend. He is greater than all the darkness, heaviness, and attacks that abortion infuses into humanity. The Lord is our Healer. I am thankful that these parents chose to pursue Him. I am also thankful to have been a witness to God’s grace working in our hearts and lives. He is faithful.
Psalm 116: 1-2 “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice, and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”
Clara Elliott is a retired school psychologist and soon-to-be grandmother! She has served as a Volunteer at If Not For Grace Ministries (INFG) for 2 years as a non-abortion-wounded individual. She has functioned as a facilitator for both our Her Choice to Heal classes and Next Steps Bible studies and has filled the role as INFG’s liaison to Lee’s Summit Community Church in Lee’s Summit.
If Not For Grace is always looking for volunteers both to help guide abortion-wounded individuals through their healing journeys and to work behind the scenes to help the process run smoothly. INFG holds quarterly topical in-depth trainings to equip our volunteers to fulfill their specific callings.
For more information about INFG, please email info@infg.org and visit us at www.infg.org.