About the Author

Dorina is an author, speaker, teacher, foodie, and trail runner. She helps people chase God's glory down unexpected trails and flourish in their callings. Her most recent books are Breathing Through Grief and Chasing God's Glory. Dorina and her hubby Shawn are raising three courageous daughters in Central California.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. My mother had the gift of hospitality. Mom would have agreed with your post whole heartedly. She moved to heaven in 2003, remembered and missed by many including me.

  2. So much negative continues to be focused on the past year plus. But for me, I am looking at all that I learned and want to continue. This shift in how to do hospitality is one. I was raised in a close knit Sicilian family with my grandmother at the helm. She was an incredible cook as were all the women in my family- a tradition I have tried to continue. Sharing meals, cooking food for others was what they did and what I do. My children in turn are carrying on this tradition. But more than food, I think so many of us have learned to be compassionate in other ways such as listening and learning from the harsh realities of racial inequities and such. The financial disparities grew even larger as the wealthy corporations reaped benefits from the pandemic while essential workers put their lives on the line for so much less than a living wage. I do not want things to go back to “normal”. Normal was not that great. I pray for a new normal.

  3. Tha no u Dorina for your in(couragement) God’s ways are higher than our ways, I thank him also for His Spirit who lives in us to encourage us, also. Much love

  4. Thank you Dorina for your wise & sweet devotional. I grew up in a Jewish home where it is very similar to Italian families. Both of my parents were amazing cooks & the love of cooking & entertaining was passed on to me. My husband & I love to have family & friends over & like you the pandemic hit us hard as well. We live in Central Coast of California & have married children 5 min. from us, 2 hours away & 5 hours away down in San Diego. When our son & his family, our only grandchildren came last summer (the ones in S.D.) we quarantined for 2 weeks as they also were not around anyone & they came for a week! That week was so precious for us! We made it like a family camp & had games, movies & of course I cooked with my young granddaughters ages 9 & 10. That week was such an uplifiting time for all of us!!! My husband & I also sent letters to our son, his wife & our granddaughters individually. I think we were all challenged this past year to be more creative in ways to reach out to our family & friends. We also had a wedding for the ones who live 2 hours away which was really challening! A Bridal Shower & a brunch here for the grooms family!!! We just had to be creative! The morning of the brunch we had hundred of uninvited guests (ants!) also that my husband spent time getting rid of & I was limited to a small area in the kitchen to work! God has such a sense of humor & has taught me over the years just go with the flow & don’t let it get me upset! Remember I come from a Jewish background :).
    Lord bless you Dorina in your ministry & with your sweet family!!!

    • I love hearing about your Jewish heritage and how that informs your sense of hospitality too! Where do you live on the Central Coast. I live in Fresno and travel there often! Such a beautiful place to live! Enjoy your family time!

  5. Well said, Dorina! Finding broader definitions is a good thing. This pandemic is helping us all think “outside the box”. Blessings to be found in the ruins!

    • Yes, I love how you said that! There’s so much we can learn in life’s most challenging circumstances! ❤️

  6. Thank you for this beautiful devotional and showing us a positive and encouraging way to look at a difficult year. Kindness and thoughtfulness is always a good thing.

  7. Thank you Dorina for such encouraging word for today. Hospitality is a generosity that runs deeper and wider than we can even imagined. Thank you

  8. This really spoke to my heart. Just prior to the pandemic my daughter and three children needed a place to stay and came to live with us. God really knew what He was doing as it was natural to stay together during the pandemic so she could continue working and we could help with virtual learning! We learned how to zoom also. We are now having a Get to Know your neighbor Picnic today! This article is so timely for me. Thank you God and Thank you Dorina.

  9. God bless you, Dorina, for the way you graciously minister to those around you. In a world that seems to have more talkers than listeners, a listening ear is a precious gift of hospitality (friendly and generous reception). Sometimes that gift opens the way (and earns the right) to share about Jesus. We can also pray that such opportunities turn into divine appointments!

  10. Exactly Dorina, your hospitality way of stories has healed us mentally and spiritually..

    Thank you very much.

    God bless.

  11. Dorina,

    Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. It is much more than food for friends. It entails generosity of time, talents, love & compassion. Simply put it is loving others as Jesus did. The pandemic robbed many people-especially the elderly of closeness & love. They were stuck “sheltered” inside alone. Most yearn for a touch, hug or a listening ear. Our country is beginning to heal from all this turmoil. The best way we can begin the healing process is to show compassion to others. Now more than ever we need to extend hospitality to others. Asking God to help us be more hospitable to our fellow neighbors everywhere.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Now more than ever we need to extend hospitality to others. This is so true! I’m praying for more opportunities to see those who are most lonely and invite them in!