Sunday Night

Shadows swayed on the cabin walls. Only our faces were illuminated by the flashlight propped up amid the Bibles and bathing suits that littered the wooden boards beneath our feet. All weekend we had shared lotion, sunglasses, snacks and hair ties but tonight we shared stories. Each girl had come to camp with expectations, perspective and pain tucked away tightly in her suitcase. Passing around tissues and dark chocolate we began unpacking. Even though we all had separate issues and different sources of hurt, our insecurities bonded us. The fear of abandonment seemed to be at the core of all of our deepest wounds. We ripped off the bandages and bled. We listened intently, gave advice, encouraged each other and prayed for healing. I was truly in awe of the capacity women have to be so raw, so loving and so intrinsically comforting. I saw God's heart through these women and I will never forget its pulse.