About
“What moved me most was her transparency: the courage to reveal the ache of a desire unfulfilled, alongside the joy of finding complete satisfaction in Christ.”
Bio
Melody Gardner is a former missionary who now equips nonprofit leaders to be effective fundraisers. She serves her local church while caring for her aging parents. An entrepreneur, speaker, and Bible teacher, Melody brings warmth, wit, and hard-won wisdom to conversations about faith, calling, and singleness. Her life’s work spans sewing and hospitality, renovating small spaces, supporting worthy causes, and teaching Scripture on tough cultural issues—all pursued with a heart to glorify God in every season.
Hesed Donation Statement
100% of the proceeds from this book will go into the Mary Magdalene Fund for single women who have given their lives to the mission of spreading the message of Jesus Christ and need extra financial support during their retirement years.
Dedication
I dedicate this book to all the single, Christian women who desire to marry, but the Lord has not changed your calling of singleness. I understand fully the ache in your heart that feels ever present. There is hope in God's Word and fellowship with friends who sit with you in your longing and tears, while trusting the Lord to comfort you like no one else can. Qualified, but not Called...Yet will give you a perspective on calling that you might not have, and hope through the Word of God to continue to trust the Lord during your single years. I pray that as you navigate this incredibly unpredictable, challenging, yet life-honoring season, you will look to Jesus, who was tempted in every way (to include singleness in a world that honored marriage and children), but did not sin. He is the only One who can comfort and empower us in a way that addresses our specific need and longing. Won’t you turn to Him.
Vision for the Mary Magdalene Fund
Melody was twenty-five years old, single and ready to mingle when the Lord gave her a vision to raise money for single women who gave their lives to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and needed extra financial support during their retirement years. Because she did not have a context for this vision, it went out of her head as quickly as it came.
Fast forward twenty-five years. Melody is fifty years old, emotionally and mentally whole, and one of those single women who spent all of her life spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world but does not have a retirement account hefty enough to take care of her needs once she retires. One day, out of the blue, the Lord brought to her remembrance the vision he gave her when she was twenty-five.
Melody said out loud, “That was You, wasn’t it, Lord?!” From that moment, she began to pray and plan for how she would raise the money necessary to make this vision a reality. As Qualified, but not Called…Yet began to take shape, Melody not only knew the proceeds would be the seed money for this fund, but she prayed that the Lord would compel millions around the world, generation after generation, to read it and see their lives transformed all for the glory of God!!
Outside of buying this book, you can give a donation to the Mary Magdalene Fund by clicking here.
THANK YOU!!
Gratitude is the word that comes to mind and heart when I think of all the people who invested their time and talent into this assignment from the Lord. I want to say thank you and tell everyone who you are and what part you played in making this vision a mission.
David Hamilton--Made Imago (Atlanta). Taped and videotaped reading for audiobook, formatted book for printing, and videotaped the book launch celebration.
Rikki and Justin Brew--Envisioning Freedom Photography (Atlanta). Performed a photoshoot for promotional materials and those from the book launch celebration.
Nyema Bennett--Nyema Bennett, stylist and make-up artist (Atlanta). Applied make-up and styled hair for promotional materials and book launch celebration.
Phaye Murphy--stylist and branding (Atlanta). Shopped for my attire and accessories for promotional materials and the book launch celebration.
Devotis Lee--D Cafe and Catering (Atlanta). Held beta-test, taste-testing, and book launch celebration at this restaurant.
Amber Simpson--Gathering Event + Experiences (Atlanta). Managed marketing of the book and designed the book launch celebration
Naomi Smith--Wearereading (Morganton, NC). Edited book and is the author's Public Relations agent
Joy Gilmer--Incite Solutions and Consulting (Atlanta). Consulted Gathering on programming for the book launch celebration
Rebecca Gilmer--RGG and Associates (Pittsburgh, PA). Consulted and coached each person who was a part of the book launch celebration.
Earl Mells--Earl Mells the Third DJ (Atlanta). Executed the musical ambiance for the book launch celebration
Terry Scott--Scott Security Specialties, LLC (Atlanta, GA). Kept us safe as the security for the book launch celebration
Kimberly Moore. Go Together (Maryland). Conducted the interview at the book launch celebration
Jerry Gardner. JDG Logistics. Traffic control for book launch celebration
Lynn Gardner, MD. Exceeding The Mark, Inc. (Atlanta). Registered guests at the book launch celebration
Erica Scott, MD. (Atlanta). Registered guests at the book launch celebration
Joyce Lewis, MD. Greater Atlanta Family Healthcare (Clarkston, GA). Author's personal liaison for book launch celebration
Greg Hersey. (Orlando). Designed my Shopify store with all the protections and products needed to sell Qualified but not Called...Yet