But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV


I don't usually begin my writings with a Scripture, but this is where this one began.   I've read this verse many times, even memorized it, but this time one word stood out to me, "forbearance."   It's not a word we would use today.  We know it simply as the word, "patience."   I don't know about you, but that word can make the hairs stand up on back of my neck. 


I came across this word as I was reading a post about praying for my adult children.   If you have any, you know as well as I do that we need to have patience in all aspects of our relationship with them.


Being a "word" girl, I went to the dictionary.  Here's what I found:


  1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
  2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.


It was #1 that made me say, "ouch!"   


To be honest, I don't even realize I'm being impatient until it's escalated beyond that.  All I know is that I feel irritated or angry.  Left unchecked, it can spread to different areas of life.  For example, whatever I'm doing,  I just want to get the job done.  Anything that stands in my way can set off the impatience meter.  Most of the time it involves waiting…waiting in traffic, waiting in a line at the grocery store, coffee shop, doctors office,  you name it.  I usually end up frustrated and totally miss the joy of accomplishing whatever it is I set out to do.   


This leads me to my next thought.  If I'm missing out on the joy of the moment, what else am I missing?  I went back and looked at the list in the verse and I had to ask myself, "If I'm missing out on one, am I missing out on the others?"   I can easily see how it happens.  Think about it.  If youre angry, frustrated and irritable, even if you're sad, it's hard to have joy and peace let alone the rest.  I'm not saying we can't or shouldn't be angry or have negative emotions.   God made us with emotions…even Jesus got angry but He didn't stay there.   


So, the next time I'm waiting or something isn't working out the way I think it should, I hope I'll remember this little self-talk and take my eyes off my feelings and the situation and put them on the One who gave me the emotions.  He didn't give them to us to be controlled by them, He gave them to us to be used in the best possible way to have a full life.


If you find yourself struggling to find the balance, I invite you to say this prayer with me:


Lord, on my best day I get impatient.  Would you help me to recognize when I'm getting off track and bring the impatience to you?  I'm asking that if it goes beyond that and I find myself angry or frustrated, help me not to stay there.  I don't want to complain or take my frustrations out on others.   I need You Lord.  I can't do it without You.  Amen

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.