Last night I had the unique privilege and honor of attending a very private memorial service. For the past several weeks there has been a class held at our church. It is called PACE, or Post Abortion Counseling Eduction. This was a Bible study for woman who had abortions and were searching for healing.

There was something about just knowing this class was meeting at our church that made each of these women dear to me. I did not know some of them but as we would prepare the room for them my heart cried out that they would find healing and forgiveness in Christ.

About 2 weeks ago I was asked to run the logistical side of their final class. I was honored because I loved these women and had wanted so badly to hear their stories. It was a strange desire because there was nothing vicious in it, but simply wanting to hear the preciousness of the freedom they had found.

Last night was a memorial service that is held at the end of the class. It was absolutely precious. The women came in and were given a white rose representing each child that is in the hands of Jesus (miscarriages as well as abortions). This class had caused them to take a long hard look at abortion. It was not an easy class for them. But they had made it this far, had received a chance to give names to their babies, had looked at the fact that their children are in heaven and had received healing. During the evening they lit a candle representing each child and dedicated their children to God. While each woman knew their child was already with the Lord this service was to acknowledge and honor that fact.

Somewhere during this time something occurred to me that made me slightly jealous of these ladies. That might sound strange but I suddenly realized that they knew forgiveness in a way that I might never understand. They had gone through a very difficult study that caused them to take long hard looks at their hearts and come out with such gratefulness for the blood of the cross. Then the Lord reminded me that at the foot of the cross the ground is level. All sin is separating from Him and that I too could know that type of forgiveness. I just needed to confront my sin as honestly as they did theirs.

What a beautiful picture. Last night will forever be burned in my memory. Not only did I have the honor of hearing the stories of these precious women, loving them, spending time with them, but I was able to take a fresh look at the gift of salvation. Oh thank you Lord Jesus!

***Please note, if you or anyone you know is struggling from a past abortion, please call your local community pregnancy center and ask about the PACE program, or a similar Post Abortion Counseling. It is confidential and could change your life. I heard a couple testimonies last night from ladies who did not realize that the even needed something like this and how much freedom they have found.