11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 15:11-15

For Lydia, we get the city she was from, what she did for a living, and her gift of hospitality. She was obviously excited to have these great teachers come and stay with her. She, like many others like her, seemed to be genuinely curious about Paul. She probably wanted to learn all she could from them, so why not put them up for a few nights?

Yes, she was a good hostess but I think she just wanted to learn from them and “pick their brains” about the Christian faith. Men were being trained, and now women could be trained. How much would God user Lydia in the coming days? Scriptures don’t say, but she was willing to risk being persecuted because of her new affiliation with the disciples.

I talk quite a bit about “unsung heroes” because the world is full of them. They get very little credit for their hard work. Lydia is one of these hard workers but she’s not the last.

Think of an unsung hero where you live. Encourage that person and let them know you’re praying for them.