If I Could Apprentice with Lydia in Philippi...
Prologue to The Lydia Effect, launching Easter
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be? What would you ask them?
Well, you already know my answer, right?
If I could meet anyone ever, my wish would be to travel back in time 2,000 years and meet Lydia of Thyatira—a fascinating and mysterious woman from the Bible.
Lydia only makes a brief appearance in the Biblical story (Acts 16: 11-15, 40), but she left a lasting impact. She was a force of nature—a bold, confident, and deeply faithful woman. She made big decisions and acted on them immediately. I love that. I want to be that.
In my wish, I picture myself working for Lydia in her purple cloth business. Purple cloth was a luxury item, and Lydia’s headquarters was in a bustling hub on ancient trade routes.
When Lydia became a follower of Christ, she converted her home into a house church—a gathering place to welcome and encourage the new believers. I wish I could have been there at the beginning and years later, welcoming Epaphroditus as he delivered a letter of joy and appreciation from Paul (now in Philippians in the New Testament).
My curiosity goes into overdrive when I think about Lydia’s life. If it meant I could spend time with her, I would grind madder root or harvest mollusks from the sea to prepare the dye for the purple fabric. Even if I smelled like fish and had to sleep outside on the ground, I’d do it. I’d do anything to hear her stories firsthand.
Why Lydia of Thyatira? The role she played in the story of the early Christian faith movement captivates me. Her leadership inspires me. She was at the center of the action—she would’ve known everyone. Yeah, everyone.
Her house, located on a major trade route, could have been a haven for traveling apostles. Maybe Lydia and her team of women even cooked for Mary, Jesus’s mother when she visited Philippi. Maybe they sat at Mary’s feet, sharing stories and songs, just like women do. Just like I want to do.
And Lydia had to have known Mary Magdalene.
In my wish, I imagine Lydia and I traveling together—maybe to Rome or some other city—doing business with wealthy Roman clients, connecting with other leaders of the early church along the way. I could hear her stories and watch her in action. We’d talk for hours, walking, working, laughing. She’d show me how to take bold, courageous action, stepping into leadership in faith with everything I have.
So, yeah….I wish I could meet Lydia.
The power of story makes it feel like I already have (more on my approach to the Bible here). I poured all that wishing and nerding out into writing: my faith journey, Lydia’s story, and why I believe her leadership still matters today.
Chapter 1 launched Easter Sunday, 2025 (Chapter 1 link)
The first few chapters this Spring will be introductory, so please share the link with friends in your Buddy System network so they can catch up and join in the journey with us.
After the introductory chapters, we’ll move into the heart of the book in three parts:
Finding the Thread is where I share my personal journey of leaving my faith and becoming a scientist and eventually finding my way back and discovering Lydia.
Identity Theft unpacks the blindness we have to our own self-worth that prevent us from claiming our own story.
Step into The Story looks toward the future with our eyes and hearts open, ready to take bold action in faith — stepping into our unique stories that are woven into a larger, unfolding story.
I planned to publish it traditionally in a few years after I retired, but that plan changed (read the sudden early retirement story). The world is changing too fast — so I am starting now with methods I learned in the IT world: prototyping. I want a community to join in this beta launch so I can hear your stories and feedback and write into the rapidly changing world we are creating.
What I have ready so far (34 short chapters and growing!) grew from sharing my wishing, dreaming, and drafts in my buddy system network in conversations I didn’t know were sacred until afterward. So, keep those comments, texts, and emails coming so I can hear your stories and feedback, too. It’s a truly beautiful process.
And, thank you for being here—for joining and helping shape The Lydia Effect into what it is meant to become. Your presence matters more than you know.
Laura
'And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. ' Acts 16:15 ESV
Excited to read on Easter!