Dread:  to fear greatly, be in extreme apprehension of; to be reluctant to experience. 


All of us have fallen victim to it and it plays havoc with our minds and emotions.   It can attach itself to just about anything.   It could be a speaking engagement, a ride on a roller coaster or saying goodbye to a loved one.


The past few days I've found myself in a place of  dread.   A situation was going to present itself where I didn’t want to be.   It meant saying goodbye to something precious and embracing something very uncomfortable and awkward and the countdown was on.


Dread seems to hit me the hardest first thing in the morning.   When I open my eyes, it’s as if a huge rubber band has been wrapped around my chest and my mind starts to race.  This morning was no different except for one thing…I heard the words, “Be Still.”  I’m no expert on the voice of God but one thing I am learning is that God’s voice can shatter the darkness and most of the time it doesn’t make sense…at least to me.    So here I was laying there needing to get up and start my day so I could distract myself from the inevitable and I heard the words, “Be Still?”  I got up out of bed and decided to listen to those words by grabbing the Bible for a few minutes.   I opened it to Psalm 46 and my eyes fell on these words, “Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth!” 


No coincidence.   I then looked at my Bible app on my phone, the verse of the day was. “Be still…”   Later I was on Instagram.   A lady I follow posted a message for the day.  Guess what verse she used?   I don't have to tell you.  Lastly, another post caught my eye and yes, same verse.   I didn't have to ask God what was going on.  I needed to wait for Him to show me.


This morning I woke up and the same dread tried to creep in.  After breakfast I decided to take a walk.  The surroundings here are beautiful and peaceful so I prayed God would show me Himself in the beauty around me.


As I walked, the battle rose up within me and I found myself fighting emotions of anger, resentment and frustration.  “This isn't the way it's supposed to be Lord.”  I walked on.  Suddenly I heard the words coming out of my mouth, “Be still and know that I am God.”   I repeated them over and over.  Tears came to my eyes and then I felt it…peace.   


I finished my walk knowing that being still requires action.  It sounds contradictory, I know, but for me, it required separating myself from my situation and taking a walk.  It also required me to focus on the words I'd been given whether I felt like it or not and hanging onto them until I felt a breakthrough. 


God is no respecter of persons.  If He got through to me, He'll get through to you and when He does, hold on to whatever He gives you.  It's then that dread and fear will have no stronghold and you'll know He is God.  Your God. 



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.