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!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. All I can say is, WOW!
    I loved the amount of reflection you lead me to in your words. I was just in the book of Ephesians before opening todays article from (in)courage and so when I read the reference you wrote on Ephesians I knew the Holy Spirit was guiding me ☺️
    Your article also referred me to Psalm 139 in my Bible where I had written many notes of which I haven’t read in awhile. I confidently say, God used you and your article today to offer His presence into my life of a certain message He wants me to be aware of.
    THANK YOU!

  2. Although I don’t listen to a “playlist”, I totally hear what you’re saying. What I can feel bad about for days is if I am short with a clerk when the customer service or wait time is awful. It’s so frustrating to wait but even worse if we have a bad attitude about it and spew.

  3. Good Morning Melissa. I just read your story and I found it very enlightening. I live in a facility for Seniors and many of them have physical problems and we don’t know what is going on here, because managers are quitting, we don’t have a chef and the food is inedible , I mean that it makes you sick. We are paying big bucks to stay here. When we come down for lunch, there are four of us that sit at the same table. Somehow, we are perfectly matched. One day we are kidding and laughing and having a good time. Yesterday, every one of us was in a bad mood or not feeling well. The first thing we do is ask each other if this is a good or bad day. It is amazing, but we almost always feel exactly the same . That day we are quiet. One couple are both in their 90’s and the other man is 86 and I am 76. They call me the baby and we call the 91 year old women, Mom. I am the one that try cheering us all up. It didn’t work yesterday. There wasn’t anything on the menu that was even tempting and the servers said the kitchen was a disgrace. We really don’t know what to do anymore. The management team the owners just picked them off of the street and they don’t know how or don’t care how we feel. My 45 years working was 10 years to find out how to be a good manager. It takes time, but it was successful. That company was closed so I looked for another job. I ended up with my dream job and the first 5 years, I was a supervisor and learned much more about how to handle certain situations. At that point they made me a manager and to my surprise, they told me I was the best manager they ever had and it is a very large company. Because of my experience, I see all the mistakes they make, but I don’t say anything to them. My husband has dementia and almost killed me so we have to live apart and I had to sell my house. That is a long story too which I have already, probably bored you. The main thing is that from 20 years old, God guided me in this part of my life and I didn’t realize it until I retired. Many things happened that I thought were strange, but ” NO” it was Jesus helping me to learn. I loved that job and after working that long, I find it hard to turn that part of my brain off. I wish I could tell them what to do or make suggestions, but we know something is going on here that they are not revealing to us. Do you have any advice for us, Melissa? I just love (in)courage and you women who are so intelligent, caring and helpful, I am sure many women see. You don’t even know us, yet you are there. Just finished the book “100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle “. it was amazing and I have several more of our books that I am working with. I will end now and thank you for reading my miserable situation. Take care and have a Blessed Day ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Betsy Basile

  4. I just finished a study on James and what you wrote today is going in my notes. I pray to be mindful of my playlist.

  5. Melissa, your words leave a lot of food for thought. Thank you. I will carry them through my day!

  6. Oh my gosh Melissa this was huge for me! You really spoke to my heart. My attitude. My judgement. My self pity. My ego. My joy. My emotions. My honesty. Wow! Thank you

  7. Yes Melissa, ditto what Janet wrote!! You’ve given us a whole lot to think about, digest and put into practice. I have a brand new attitude and will practice this each day, especially at work. I am also re-reading Ephesians 4. Thanks so much – continue to bring your light to these “intersections of life and circumstances.”

  8. Melissa,

    There was a period of time when the “playlist” of my mind was unkind. My job duties had just changed drastically. I was not happy about the situation. Everyone around me knew it very well. Then God stepped in & gave me a different job (same company). I am much happier now. So much so that I try to encourage my patients. You will find me cheering them on when they sit in a chair or walk the halls. I try to cheer them up daily. It is my way of trying to spread God’s light & love to others.

    Blessings 🙂