Lydia

Acts 16:25-40

The sun was shining, a mild haze was disappearing from The Downs. It was the sort of haze that heralded hot weather. The coastal grass atop the cliffs sprang back after the deformation caused by our feet. We spoke of our aspirations for the future. Three children, the first girl to be called Rebecca Mary. Some years later during the months of waiting for the first child the other names were chosen. We were sitting at the kitchen table, probably it was covered with the brown and yellow tablecloth. It was a Saturday evening. We chose the other names, a total of three for  boys and three for girls. They were written on a small piece of paper and placed in the birthday book. It is probably still there.

Thomas Daniel, Stephen James, Matthew Peter, Rebecca Mary and Naomi Ruth were all born; we did not get as far as Lydia Sarah.

I chose Lydia because of this Lydia in Acts, a business woman and church leader. To me she is an example of the role women would have in a church. What is more, she was given the news of Jesus directly by Paul (v 14). It was she who caused her whole household to be baptized.  It was to Lydia and the church in her house that Paul went to give encouragement before he left the city (v 40). I suspect too that Paul also received encouragement and prayers for his journey.