In real life, mothers are leading ladies-May 12, 2013 Times Enterprise Faith and Values

When I think of leading ladies, I immediately think of Scarlet in Gone with the Wind, Princess Leia in the Star Wars series and Lucy in the television series, I Love Lucy. What would these movies and television shows be without their leading ladies? In life I think about all the moms who serve as leading ladies. Every role is not the same. Some moms act out life with two children, a dog and a neighborhood of similar composition. Other moms have the difficult role of single parent and sole provider. No matter what the storyline, every mom has a leading role and a destiny to fulfill. There is never an Academy Awards program for leading lady moms. A day once a year must suffice. On that important day, Mother’s Day, all the actors and actresses from youngest to oldest have the opportunity to come along side mom and show her how much they appreciate the role she plays in the story of life. Moms truly are leading ladies, women of influence. In Christianity there were many leading ladies as the drama of salvation unfolded. Some were moms but many we know very little about except for the glimpses we get from the Bible. One of my favorite leading ladies is Lydia in Acts 16: 12-15, “and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.” Lydia was the very first European convert. Her role in God’s economy was to help lead others to worship God and to provide Paul and those traveling with him lodging and hospitality while they ministered in Philippi. She was a business woman who led a prayer meeting by the riverside just outside the city. The scripture says, “her heart was opened to heed the things spoken Paul “. Every leading lady has to have her heart opened to see, understand and accept the role she is destined to play. We have to have courage to walk out our role as a leading lady knowing it will drive the story for those around us. If Lydia had not been the first European convert there would have not been the second or third convert. In this passage we can see the passion Lydia had for more of Christ and his kingdom. It says, “She begged us” to come to her home. Every leading lady has passion for her role in life. There is a character to develop and a story to unfold! The story that unfolded with Lydia was the gospel being preached on a new continent and a new people group. You could say Lydia was a spiritual mom to many in the early European church. Several Christian churches recognize her as a saint. I encourage you to consider the role you have been called to play in your family, your church and your community. The world is looking for leading ladies who have open hearts and a passion for life. No one can play your part better than you!

#leadershipleadingladies #LydiaPaul #Christianity #evangelism #passionforChrist #hospitality