About the Author

Melissa Zaldivar is a social in the world of academics and an academic in the world of socials. She's an author and podcast host with a BA in Communications and an MA in Theology. She loves a good sandwich, obscure history, and wandering around New England antique shops.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Melissa
    I really was drawn by your ability to interweave your own story with the more macro story. Of God’s love for all and the need for community for all.
    Beautiful writing!

  2. Beautifully written. It invited a deeper conversation about the true meaning of community. This hit home for me in many ways! Thanks Melissa!

  3. I love this, Melissa! And I look forward to reading/hearing more from you! Thank you for this gift.

  4. How appropriate today to be reminded that our Creator wants His children to love Him and one another. To show love, kindness, and forgiveness we must be willing to share each other’s common spaces.

    My children need grounded friends and I need to be a grounded friend.
    My husband needs Christ centered friends in his life. I need to show more of Christlike traits to others on purpose. I need community with diversity in my life. So, I need to show myself friendly to more people who didn’t grow up as I did. I like trying new recipes, so I need to share some of my grandmother’s recipes with others who enjoy cooking.

    Community is where we learn to share time and stories with safe people. We can also learn to start healing from our emotional hurts. We are all more alike than we really know.

    God bless Everyone as we embrace Father’s Day this weekend.

    Brenda
    A Concerned Mother

  5. Yes to all of this, Melissa. Thank you for calling us out of our comfort zones and into true community that crosses the artificial lines we draw of lifestages.

  6. Melissa,

    Our culture & many churches tend to “lump” people into groups based on criteria like age, marital status, family, etc. The only problem with that is we leave out a large segment of society-the young singles. They may not feel like they belong anywhere-especially in the church. Thus they may not stay involved or stop attending all together. We, the body of Christ. need to make them feel welcomed & valued. Let them know we care about them & allow them to offer their gifts & talents. Asking God to help us be more inclusive with each other. Reach out/draw near to ALL neighbors & watch God work. You might just make a new friend.

    Blessings 🙂

  7. Thank you for sharing so honestly. Our churches have to become caring communities to all segments. Your sharing in such an authentic way is so needed at this time. As a grandma of 66 I have found calling and connecting with those alone during this pandemic & weeks of lockdown to be encouraging not just for me but them as well. Thank you so much for reminding us about community. May His mercies be new for you all each morn
    Sal Williams, Sri Lanka