Lydia
The Welcoming Dreamer
- Imaginative
- Flexible
- Outgoing
- Warm
Lydias make space for new ideas and for the people who bring them. After listening to Paul by the river, Lydia invited his group to stay in her home.
An illustrative Big Five pattern. Further out means a stronger tendency; emotional balance varies from person to person.
They enjoy a new idea and picturing what could be, and they notice how others are doing.
They may enjoy dreaming up a gathering and finding ways for guests to feel at home. New people and new ideas often catch their interest.
Strengths
They welcome new ideas
They listen properly to an idea they have not heard before and think about what it could mean. Lydia came to the place of prayer by the river and listened to Paul.
Happy to change plans
If the plan changes, they find a way to enjoy the new one. A last-minute change feels like part of the fun.
They make the invitation
They may be happy to make the first invitation. Lydia begged Paul’s group to stay at her house, and she persuaded them.
Everyone feels at home
They notice what would help a guest settle in and offer it gladly. Lydia’s house became the place where the believers met.
Watch-outs
You may keep inviting after someone says no
You are so keen for people to come that you may keep asking after they have said no. Let one warm invitation be enough.
You may spend the whole gathering helping
You look after everyone so well that you may miss the fun. Ask a friend to take one job so you may sit down with your guests.
You may assume others can picture your idea
You may describe the exciting parts of an idea without explaining how they connect. Give one concrete example of what the gathering would look like.
Lydia as a friend
As friends, Lydias often enjoy making an invitation and seeing where the evening goes. They may notice small things that would help a guest feel at home.
Being invited over themselves, or having someone share the hosting, can give them room to enjoy the friendship too.
What helps them feel close
- Friends who say yes to an invitation, or no kindly and clearly.
- Someone happy to talk over a new idea with them.
- A friend who takes one job so they can enjoy the evening too.
In everyday life
Youth group
At youth group or on a team, they invite people along and help a newcomer feel expected. When plans change, they help everyone go with it.
School
Projects with room for new ideas may appeal to them. Working alongside a friend is one option to try when getting started feels difficult.
Faith
God sees them and loves them, and his welcome is wider than any door they will ever open.
What could you offer that would help someone feel welcome?
Lydia was a trader in purple cloth from Thyatira. One Sabbath she was at the riverside place of prayer, listening to what Paul had to say, and the Lord opened her heart.
After she and her household were baptised, she begged Paul’s group to come and stay at her house, and she persuaded them. Later, when Paul and Silas came out of prison, they went to Lydia’s house and met the believers there.