I had the honor to share a few words at Elaina Crema's birthday party on Saturday night. This was a glorious surprise party thrown by her husband Bob, who brought together 60 or so of their closest friends and family. I wanted to do something special for Elaina so I went searching in the scriptures for a story or character that would honor her, but also be a testimony of what the Lord can do in a life. I could not think of anything more fitting a story then in Acts 16 and the woman named Lydia. Look what it says....
Acts 16:14-15 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
Lydia was a "seller of purple." This was common trade, but very expensive. The process of turning cloth into purple was hard work and costly. But it was also very profitable. Lydia was a hardworking, diligent and successful woman. There was nothing she couldn't do -- she was that type of professional, together woman. Elaina is like Lydia....Elaina was educated as a nurse; gave up a career for a higher calling mother; she has been are her husband's right side for 25 plus years helping him become successful; she is shrewd in a business sense and commands a clip board when building or redecorating homes like a finely tuned general contractor. Not to mention she can swing a golf club, cook gourmet meals; gut a deer and organize a church fellowship like nobodies business! She is the true renaissence woman!! Just like Lydia was successful and hard working and known in her world -- so was Elaina is the same!
But is also says that she was "a worshipper of God." At this point in her life, Lydia did not know Jesus as Savior, but she had a respect and fear for God. She had concern for God and wanted to know who He was. This was Elaina Crema when I met her 13 years ago. She was searching and looking. She loved God, although did not know him personally. But the respect she had for the Almighty, put her on a journey to discover Him. Alot of that respect came from her upbringing and the religious instruction she received since a child. It prepared the way for the future encounter with the Savior. Like Lydia -- Elaina respected God.
Then it says that she was concerned with her family. Look at v. 15 - she was so concerned that her family would know the truths of the scriptures -- she demanded that Paul would come back to her home and share the gospel. That is Elaina as well! Like a Momma Bear -- never get between her and her cubs!! She has been called "Momma Dukes" and has no problem showing her hot Italian temper especially if you try to mess with her man or her girls! She loves her family. That is how I met her.... 13 yrs ago her youngest daughter needed a pre-school and Elaina discovered that our church had just opened a school. She enrolled her and then attended a service -- "to check us out!" I just happened to be preaching that day. After the service she found me and the first words out of her mouth.... "I need you to meet my husband!" I am not sure that she wanted me to share Christ with Bob or wanted to see if Bob's questions and unrelented pursuit in trying to disprove Christianity would break me. But all of that was because she knew her family needed something and that possibly what I was preaching could make her family more complete!
Finally it says "she was listening" -- specifically she was listening to Paul share the gospel. When she heard the good news of salvation in Christ -- the deal was done!! Lydia believed and she became devoted to Christ. All because she was listening! The same happened to Elaina - she was listening. She heard the gospel and gave her life to Christ. Then came Bob ...then her daughters...then her sister in law and others. It says about Lydia - "her entire household came to faith." That just simply means "all those who she influenced were open to salvation!"
Lydia came to Christ and affected all those in her circle of relationships. By the looks of her relationships at her party the other night - God is still using Elaina to touch others lives. It was my joy to share these thoughts with that party. Bob her husband is my best friend in the world now (thanks Elaina) -- he insists on a gospel testimony being given at functions like these. Now today, Bob and Lydia desires all who they love come to faith in Christ!! What a story -- a modern day Lydia story! The best phrase in the story... "she prevailed upon him!" That too is Elaina Crema -- she has been prevailing on me for 13 years -- we love you!