“I’m on my way!” That’s all the text said, as I read it through sweat and tears and shaking hands. I stood on the side of a hot, busy street with arms wrapped around my three crying children. The firemen had already begun pushing our mangled SUV out of the way so lines of impatient back-to-school shoppers could continue on their way. And I kept thinking, how could this happen? But I held onto those four little words—“I’m on my way!” My mind clung to the knowledge that soon I wouldn’t be alone. My dear friend was coming to my rescue.

Rarely do we have such dramatic events happen to us on a given day. Still, we need each other. We need other women in our lives who show up, pray, and are there whether it’s a difficult morning or a car accident in the middle of a major city intersection. Jesus may have called twelve disciples, but He also surrounded Himself with loyal and faithful women. These women were there to see His miracles, hear His teaching, and unlike the men, they were also there when He hung on the cross (Mark 15:40). They were even there after His death and became the first to witness His resurrection (Mark 16:1).

I’ve not always chosen to make friendships with other women a priority in my life. The risk of superficiality, gossip, lack of reciprocation, even rejection has not seemed worth the effort. But I’ve learned when I pray for God to orchestrate and grow my friendships, when I choose to risk and initiate and be authentic myself, God answers my prayers and allows friendships to flourish.

Jesus made friendship a priority in His life, after all. Why shouldn’t we take that step and do the same?

“No longer do I call you servants…but I have called you friends” (John 15:15).

*First published by The Joyful Life Magazine.