For those of you on this journey with me, I want to share something that has affected me greatly.  I have traveled on this road for a very long time, and to be quite honest, I've wrestled with what I'm going to say. 


I want to talk about mothers and fathers.  Each of those words will mean different things to different people.   Some will recall feeling loved and cherished while others will remember abandonment and rejection.

I remember the latter. 


It's not that my parents were bad people.  They had their own hurts and sorrows to deal with and I know they did the best they could.  Unfortunately the damage was done and it created a gap in our relationship that could've been so much more.


I always regretted the fact that my mother and I were not close and I would sometimes question whether she really cared.  Children are created to crave love and affection as well as direction.  When that is withheld or ignored for whatever reason, it leaves an empty place that they try and fill.  For me, I assumed an attitude of "if you aren't going to be there, I'll just do it all myself."   Another word for it is " survival mode."


What I really want to talk about is what do you do with all of this as an adult.  I remember my day of reckoning when I realized why my relationship with my mother was so strained and I always felt something was missing.  I tried to be a good daughter but that wall between us kept me at arm's length. 

As I started to see the whole picture, I was angry and I made the mistake of going to her and telling her how she had messed me up and caused me so much pain.  I'll never forget hearing her start to cry on the other end of the phone and saying, "I did the best I could."   At that moment, all of my anger dissolved because I realized that as a mother, that's all you can  hope to do. 


I wish I could say things turned around after that and our relationship blossomed into what I always longed for.   It didn't but I had to accept it and be the daughter I was called to be.

I've always regretted it until today.


One of the 10 Commandments says, "Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life" (Ephesians 6:1-3).  It is the only commandment that comes with a promise which makes me think God thought it was important.   


One of the definitions of honor is, "high respect for rank."   What I realized was God wasn't telling me to respect my mother only if she was all I needed her to be; He was telling me to honor her because of her rank, her place in my life as my mother no matter what she did or didn't do.  I needed to forgive her and move on knowing that I would be there for her when she needed it.  It's taken a big load off my shoulders and the guilt and regret are gone.


If your parents are still here, I encourage you to take a good look at your relationship and honor them.  It may look different for everyone.   You don't have to be close to them to do this.  In my case, I always welcomed my mother into my home and took care of her when she was ill.  I am thankful for the memories of seeing her with my kids and the joy it brought to her and them.   


If they have passed away, I pray that God would show you any way you did honor them as He did me.   He doesn't want us carrying that burden, He wants it to go well for you!

It's Not The End

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 23, 2026
Are you one of those people who like to read the end of the story before finishing the book? This morning I've been sitting here feeling overwhelmed by life. There are things that are out of my control and a lot of uncertainty. For someone who likes to have a plan, it's my worst nightmare. God's word says that He finishes what He starts and He will complete the good work in me (Philippians 1:6 NIV). I struggle with that when I can't see the finish line. God's word also says He's the Alpha and the Omega which means He is the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13 NIV). To me, that means that He sees it all. He knew where I would be on any given day. He knew my circumstances before I did, but unlike me, He's not worrying and overcome with anxiety because He sees the end. So, once again, I have a choice to make. I can sit here overwhelmed because I can't see the way out, or, I can trust the One who can. Will I choose hope or despair? This leads me to faith which is choosing to believe even though we can't see the outcome. I had to ask myself where I was putting my faith. Hope and faith work together. No amount of striving can earn them. Each one of us has access to them. All we have to do is ask the One who freely gives. Jesus, I know you've written my story and You know how it ends. Everything in this life is temporary. Even though I can't see the end, help me to rest in the fact that You do and I can trust You with my life.

The Lost Sheep

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 11, 2026
A few weeks ago I shared about my estranged child. Mother's Day came and went without a word. I spent the day wondering/hoping I would hear something. I didn't expect a phone call but maybe a text. I told myself not to have any expectations, but I still did. I was almost angry at myself for thinking maybe this year would be different. This morning I sat here talking to the Lord. He wants me to be honest with Him so I didn't try to hide the sorrow and the rejection. I told Him I was hurt and I had to forgive my child once again. He reminded me that I had three other children who hadn't forgotten me and made me feel loved and honored, so why was the rejection of one so painful? It was then I remembered the story of the lost sheep. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's about a shepherd who has a flock of a hundred sheep. One of them goes astray and the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go find it. It was a gentle reminder that He will never give up on my child and He loves Him more than I could imagine. In the same way, God will never give up on any of us. No matter how much we run or push Him away, He will never leave us. I needed that encouragement, maybe you do too.

The Prodigal

By Eileen Glotfelty • April 19, 2026
For those of you who have a prodigal child, you're not alone. What I mean by prodigal is a child who has turned their back on you and put up walls of defense. It came as a surprise, a shock actually. I should've seen it coming but after years of butting heads, I truly thought we were in a better place. The revelation came in a letter where thoughts and feelings were shared. I felt my spirit being crushed as I read it and my heart broke. I know I wasn't the perfect mother. I had struggles and behaviors that had followed me since childhood. I had resolved never to treat my children the way I was treated, but how many of us know that sadly it still happens, but in a different way. When you have a prodigal, it's not about forgiveness and reconciliation, it's about the pain they feel we've inflicted and they can't let go of it. I keep hoping that some day, things will change but there's no guarantee as it takes two surrendered hearts that are open to be healed. It's been four years now since I received that letter. I have grieved in a way I never have before and there were times I didn't think I would make it through. It's a different kind of grief because you know it can change but it's out of your control. It's been a process and I've experienced rejection, abandonment, guilt and shame but it brought me to a place where I knew it was going to keep me in a prison of pain if I didn't surrender it to God so He could heal my heart. The Bible has a story about a prodigal son. Even though the son went his own way and abandoned his father, his father never gave up hope. When the son had an “aha” moment and realized how foolish he had been, he humbled himself and returned home. This is my favorite of the story: “So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV” This is how God greets everyone who returns to Him, no matter what they've done. I pray I would react the same way with my son. If you have a prodigal, my heart goes out to you, but just know that God sees you and your child. He is working behind the scenes as He is a God of redemption and reconciliation. He will heal your broken heart and give you the strength to hold on.