Once Is Enough

Threading her way through the crowded streets, Lydia made her way to the riverside. It was nearly time, and she didn’t wish to be late. This little meeting had started as a ritual in her otherwise hectic life. But over time had become more important than food or work.

She needed that time. A chance to reset, to find restoration. And perhaps even find her heart’s longing. The nature restored her. The peace of the flowing river. The communion with like-minded souls. Others who, like her, were searching for answers. For a reason to live. A real reason. Not just the same old daily grind.

Not that Lydia felt dissastified. She found her work rewarding and loved caring for her family. But something within cried out that there must be more. But darn if she knew how – or where – to find it.

She couldn’t exactly remember when she had realized that the Hebrew faith answered some of those questions. Spoke to her inner longing. So she went to the riverside place of prayer each week – always hoping for more.

But that Sabbath was different. Oh sure, there was often someone who shared words of wisdom. But that Sabbath. Oh my. It was a Jew by the name of Paul. And he knew. It was as if he knew the inner cry of her heart. Her longing for peace, deep abiding peace. For it seemed as he shared his Good News that his words were for her and her alone.

We don’t know what Paul preached that day. Scripture states simply that he and his companions went to share Christ’s Good News. The Bible never mentions Lydia again either. Other than that one encounter with Paul and the few brief days he stayed in her home.

Perhaps that was the only sermon she ever heard. But it was enough. God opened her already god-fearing heart. And she became Christ’s disciple for all eternity. Because one true encounter with Christ is all it takes. It is enough.

A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.

Acts 16:14 Berean Study Bible (BSB)

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I wrote this post in response to this week’s one word prompt from Five Minute Friday. It’s a free write with no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfection. The goal is to just write, and you can join too!

Image of Woman in purple by ToTheEndsOfTheEarthMovie.com.; all rights reserved, educational use only from FreeBibleImages.org.