This morning my bestie, Zelda, flew back to her home across the country after a week’s visit. I started missing her as the Uber drove out of our driveway. While she rode to the airport, we texted about plans to meet up in the fall for a girls’ trip, followed by her coming home with me for another few days. A highlight each week is us Zooming on Fridays to catch up. 
We stream high holy day services together, a habit we developed of attending each other’s special services when we both lived in LA for 25 years. We can answer each other’s questions before being asked and intuit when things are going wrong. The night her husband, Paul, died unexpectedly, I knew it was Zelda before I saw who was calling and knew something terrible had happened to Paul. I knew when her daughter, Annie found out she was pregnant before I read the text. Sisters could not be closer.
Jesus had besties whom he loved and connected with as much as do we with ours. John was identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John: 13:22; 19:26; 20:2). Jesus wept when Lazarus died, even though he knew he would raise him (John: 11:35). These are but two examples of the intimate relationship Jesus developed with others. So too, Jesus wanted his followers to be “one.” This comes across strongest when, on the night before his death, he prayed to God for his disciples “ . . . that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:11).
We aren’t surprised that Jesus would pray for this oneness, this closeness, among those who had followed him and would carry on for him. But what many may not recognize that in the prayer, he specifically included those who, “believe in me . . . that they may all be one” (John 17:20-21) [italics are mine]. That means you and me, UWFaith sisters, and all of God’s children!!! To reinforce this plea, Jesus prayed “that the disciples may become completely one” (John 17:23), implying that we who follow him today be completely one with Jesus, at one with the Father, and at one with one another. Doesn’t that make us besties with Jesus and each other?
Each summer Mission u provides HTC UWFaith women (and others) the opportunity to experience Jesus’s bestiehood for a couple of days. As with the disciples of old, it’s a time for community learning, praying, praising, eating, laughing, and meeting new sisters and visiting with ones we’ve known for years. I hope you’ll join us July 16-18 at FUMC Hurst. We want you to come, and you’ll be glad you did.
Registration: https://www.uwfaithhtc.org/2026_retreat_mission_u_registration
More info about Mission u: https://uwfaithhtc.org/mu26
Grace and Love,
- Karen Kaigler-Walker
Horizon Texas Conference Spiritual Growth & Soul Care Coordinator
