What would it be like to emulate the hospitality of Lydia— but also the welcome of the Holy Spirit? who comes to us in our dreams; who is always a step ahead of us, always already there, pointing us in the direction we should go.

Who are we to hinder God, dear church? The room we all belong in, where there is plenty of space and all are welcome, is the home of the Lord, which is and will always be with us.

We know Tabitha is the only person named in the Bible as a disciple in the feminine, not even Mary Magdalene or Mary the mother of Jesus. This is not to be taken lightly. No wonder two men were sent to find Peter to bring her back to life, back to her community.