God is so faithful! This week, He has been showing me the importance of having the right people around you. It’s not always about who you call your “crew,” your “friend,” or your “best friend.” Sometimes, it’s simply about having reliable people you can call on — and it’s just as important that they can call on you.

When I think about how the Holy Spirit, in the Bible, talks about giving gifts and how we are all parts of one body — that’s what “the village” looks like to me. Everyone has a part to play. No one is sitting idle. Everyone is contributing to the success of what’s going on.

Now, let me be honest — I’m a certified loner. I’m that person who doesn’t like to ask for help, who will always try to tough it out and make a way on my own. Not in a non-spiritual way, but just in that “I’ll figure it out” kind of way. I’m constantly trying to maximize my time and capacity. That’s me. But God, in His faithfulness, reminded me this week that I do have people around me — and it’s okay to lean on them.

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1. The Pajama Mission

Halloween is coming up, and I wanted to order our traditional matching pajamas for our annual movie night. The only store that had them was an Old Navy about 45 minutes from my house. Of course, my calendar was already packed, and I couldn’t find a window to make the trip.

As I was stressing over my schedule, the Lord dropped it in my spirit: You know someone who lives out that way and drives to your area every day. Reach out.

So, I did. I texted her and said, “Hey girl, I need to ask you for the biggest favor ever.” It probably wasn’t that big of a deal to her because her response was simply, “OK, just let me know.”

Was it really that easy? For someone to say, “Yeah girl, I got you — the same way you’ve had me”? I was amazed. I forwarded her the receipt, didn’t overthink it, and didn’t ask, “Are you sure?” I just accepted the help.

She went to the store, picked up the pajamas, and brought them to me the next day. Just a simple text: “Got it.” That’s it. I thought, Wow — that really happens in real life.

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2. The Fall Fest Moment

Then, at our fall fest, I had a table set up with supplies to carry back to the car. I had Mariah with me, and as a single mom, even figuring out who can watch your kid for five minutes can be stressful.

But I’m so thankful that God has blessed us with a community. I was able to say, “Hey, can you watch her for a few minutes while I run this stuff to the car?” and without hesitation, someone said, “Yeah girl, I got her.”

And instantly I thought, the same way you had her daughter when she was running around. It’s reciprocal. It’s okay. I ran to the car, came back, and my baby didn’t miss a beat.

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3. The Missed Performance

The next day, I was running late to Mariah’s dance performance — and anyone who knows me knows I have supreme mom FOMO. I hate missing anything she’s part of.

They moved up the time, and I was about 45 minutes away. I drove as fast as I could, but by the time I arrived, they had just finished. My heart sank. I walked up, apologizing to Mariah, saying, “Baby, I’m so sorry I missed it.”

She looked at me and said, “It’s okay, Mommy. You’re here.”

And right then, her teacher came over and said, “She did so good! Look — I have pictures and videos.” When I asked if she could send them to me, she said, “Of course!”

In that moment, even though I missed it, God reminded me again: You’re not alone. He placed someone right there to say, “I got you. I took care of it.”

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4. The Reminder

This week, God showed me that even though I’ve been hurt by some people, I haven’t been hurt by all people. There are still good people — people who show up, who fill in the gap, who don’t take advantage of your kindness.

When I say “it takes a village,” I mean it. We love to throw that phrase around — it takes a village to raise a child — but when life gets heavy, many people wonder, Where is the village?

If that’s you, if you’re searching for your village, I encourage you this morning:

Pray about it. Tell the Lord your heart. Confess your loneliness. Admit that you can’t do this on your own.

And I promise you — with all of my heart — God will send the right people. The ones you can call on. The ones who will show up for you just like you show up for them.

Because no, for real — it takes a village.

And you will have your village. ❤️