twenty two candles

Today is the day that I am now "in my twenties." Man, time flies. I still remember fighting my mom in the fifth grade because I didn't think it was appropriate to wear anything less than a dress or skirt to school.  Welcome to my life.  Last night I had the absolute joy of sitting around a picnic table with my small group discussing our final thoughts on the semester, and how much we'd grown.  Not only did we grow individually, but we grew as a group.  As we grew closer to each other, we were nearing the heart of God with our passion for our relationships.  Our small group met ever Tuesday at 8:15 at my apartment.  It was warm and sunny last night, so we all took a field trip outside to end our semester.  Knoxville stays light until about 8:30 in the summer.  Needless to say, about fifteen minutes in, our flashlight apps on our phones became very handy.  Since last night was the day before my birthday, Magan brought a cookie cake.  When she lit the candles, all of the sudden we could truly see each others faces.  As women, relational reflections of the heart of God, we should always be willing to shed our light on others.  Because it truly helps us to see them, who they really are. When we're willing to share our light, that's when we can truly appreciate and love the people around us.  Each of those girls was willing to open up every week and share their light and heart, and that's when we really saw each other.  I heard a quote once about how love isn't finding a relationship or friendship that's perfect, it's about seeing how perfect they are in their imperfections.  None of us were perfect.  We all had wounds.  We all had a story.  But when we were willing to shine our light for others to see, that's when we started to understand and see each other more perfectly.  How much would the cadyness and competition among women to be perfect change if we were willing to be a light for each other?  If we were willing to say, "Hey, I'm not perfect. But I have a God that loves me anyways, and you do, too," how much would we truly start to appreciate the people God made perfect only in imperfections for His purpose?  Those candles, and those girls may be the best birthday present I've ever had. My "starfish".  ;)