Do you ever compare what you do for the Lord with some of the other Christian women you know? Do you ever feel like what you do is minimal compared to the preacher’s wife, an elder’s wife, or a deacon’s wife?

I think most women have felt that way at one time or the other. I especially felt that way when my children were younger or when I was working full-time. I often felt guilty when I couldn’t go on Bible studies with my husband or when I had to turn down Bible class assignments because I had no one to watch my children.

Guilt! It is the thing that plagues women throughout their lives. Just last Sunday, one of our sweet Christian ladies responded to the invitation. She stated that she attends every service, but that is all she does. She worries that she is not doing enough for the Lord.

When I spoke with her later, I told her she doesn’t realize what a blessing she is to our congregation. She greets visitors, and she “makes the rounds” before services speaking to people and encouraging them. What a marvelous way to serve the Lord and His people.

There is a woman in scripture about whom we know very little. Her name is Lydia, and we find her story in Acts 16.

Lydia was a businesswoman. She sold purple, which would have been either purple dye or purple cloth, possibly silk.

We find her, on the Sabbath, by a river, worshiping with a group of women. Scripture says she was a worshiper of God. From the text, we know she was not yet a Christian.

Paul was seeking a place to pray, possibly looking for a group with whom to worship or some that might want to hear the gospel. At the river, he found a group of women, among whom was Lydia.

Paul spoke to this group, and Lydia’s heart was touched. She believe the words Paul spoke, and she was baptized (Acts 16:15).

When their worship was concluded, Lydia made a request of Paul. “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay” (Acts 16:15 ESV). She actually begged Paul to stay with her and her family.

There is nothing else recorded about this woman, but there is something very interesting her. This new Christian opened her home to strangers. Luke, the writer of Acts, made a point of this.

Lydia immediately became a woman of service. Paul must have been weary from all of his travels, and this was probably obvious to Lydia. She opened her home to him.

It is interesting that Lydia is called by name. So many of the stories we read about the apostles and their travels do not contain the name of every person they met, but this woman was special. I think she was special because she showed hospitality to these strangers.

Lydia may have felt like she wasn’t worthy to host this preacher. Like the woman in our congregation who feels like she isn’t doing much, Lydia did what she could. Maybe she did more; we don’t know. Her hospitality is what stood out. It’s what is recorded. It must have meant something special.

As women, we sometimes feel like our efforts aren’t valuable. We may be limited by many things; but we must do what we can, when we can. We shouldn’t use our children or our busy lives as excuses.  We should strive to be of service in whatever ways we are able.

Take your children with you to deliver a meal, visit a widow, visit a nursing home, or bake cookies for someone. Let your children see you serving God, and allow them to be a part of it. They will be blessed, and so will you.

Sandra Oliver