If you don't laugh, you'll cry.  That has been my motto.  Well, this was one of those times.   


Recently I was on a trip down south to visit my kids for the holidays.   Since my kids are spread out in four different states, I decided to get the most bang for my buck and see as many of them as possible.   The journey began as I flew to see my son and daughter-in-law in North Carolina. From there I took a bus to South Carolina to visit my daughter and her family.  What should have been a four hour trip turned into 6-½ hrs as the bus broke down halfway there.  There's a Bible verse that says, “‭‭Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”  Needless to say, not one of my favorites.  Joy is a choice and with joy, you can laugh.  So, when the bus broke down, I decided to make the best of it, even when the lady behind me chose to change her daughter's dirty diaper and the fumes were overwhelming and when I hobbled off the bus with my bad knee to go find something edible in the dollar store.  I ended up finding a generic lunchable with bologna and cheese.   I couldn't bring myself to read the ingredients.  (Actually part of me enjoyed it but that's our secret).  What got me through was keeping my mind on where I was going…being with my family and seeing the smiles on my granddaughter's faces.  For that, I would've climbed a mountain.


The next leg of the journey involved another bus ride to Georgia a week later.  After a nice visit with my oldest son and his family, he dropped me at the airport and this was where the “count it all joy” was going to make or break me.


Since my knee was in rebellion, I arranged for a wheelchair to take me to my gate.  If any of you have flown from Atlanta, you know this is one of the biggest airports in the world.  When I arrived at the wheelchair assistance area, there were many people in front of me.  I literally sat there until 10 min before my flight was boarding waiting for an escort.  My panic level was very high even though I was assured I wouldn't miss my flight. 


When we arrived at TSA security, the line wasn't terribly long but the woman in front of me didn't have an acceptable ID and the line stopped moving.  It gets better.   We finally got around her to another agent and proceeded up to the conveyor belt where I placed my shoes and suitcases so they could be scanned.   I stepped through the body scanner and waited for my things.   My plane was now boarding.   As my belongings came out of the machine, I quickly grabbed them only to find one of my shoes was missing!  I think I went into shock.  I searched other bins coming down the belt but my shoe was nowhere to be found.   I was on the verge of hysteria.  Count it all joy?  Since I didn't have any other shoes, I knew leaving was not an option.  Thankfully, they searched the machine and found it a few minutes later but the clock was ticking.   We had to take two elevators, a train and race through hallways.  As we rounded the corner to the gate we found an empty waiting room.  All the passengers had boarded.   As soon as she saw us, the agent at the gate said, Oh I thought my ladies were going to miss their flight!   We made it with minutes to spare.  Count it all joy.


When I arrived at my assigned seat, there was a gentleman sitting in it.  At this point, everything in me wanted to grab him by the shirt collar.  Count it all joy.   Instead, I politely informed him he was in the wrong seat.  After giving me a deer in the headlights look, he moved over.  I sat down and took some deep breaths to calm my racing heart.   


I've told this story many times.  I realized I could share it with the frustration and anger that I felt at the time but it wasn't going to do me any good to revive those feelings.  Instead I decided to count it all joy and bring joy to others by giving them a good laugh…the part about my shoe was the highlight.


Life is hard.   There's no way around it.   We are all on our own journeys, some longer than others.  Our stories are being written but we can choose how they end.   If you know me, you know mine has been of paralyzing anxiety and fear.   I don't want my story to end that way.  God doesn't want it to end that way.   My pastor said yesterday we need to say this to ourselves, “I'm not where I want to be but I'm not where I was.”   A year ago, I would've never thought I would be flying all over the country let alone by myself. For me, it's about accepting the hard things I can't change and knowing I'm never alone.  It's about believing there's always a light at the end of the tunnel even if I can't always see it.  “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:5.   The light is Jesus and because of Him, I can count it all joy. 








Even Though You Can't See Me

By Eileen Glotfelty • June 25, 2025
Over the past four weeks, I have traveled from California to Wyoming to Colorado. All had something special to see. California had hot air balloons floating over the vineyards. In Wyoming there were tumbleweeds, miles of prairie and horses being ridden through downtown streets. Both were fascinating but the scene that captured me most was in Colorado. My family's home overlooks a plain that runs over to join the Rocky Mountains. As beautiful as that is, nothing can compare with one specific mountain that rises taller than the others. Pikes Peak stands 14,000 feet above sea level and its presence commands a sense of majesty. Every morning as I stood there taking in its beauty, I would remember the words, “I lift my eyes up to the hills where my help comes from…” For me, it wasn't just a mountain, it was a revelation of the presence of God and I needed that reminder. There have been many times that I've prayed and prayed about a person or situation that weighed heavy on my heart. Most of the time it involved circumstances that were beyond my control. I knew what I thought needed to happen and happen quickly but it didn't. It seemed like my prayers fell on deaf ears. On my last day in Colorado, I went to look out the window to have one final look at that majestic mountain. To my dismay, the mountains were covered by a dense fog that made them invisible. If I didn't know better, I wouldn't know they were there. As I stood there wrestling with disappointment, I heard these words, “even though you can't see it, it's still there.” I knew this wasn't just talking about the mountain. God was letting me know that even if things aren't working out the way I want and I don't understand, He is still there behind the chaos and behind the doubt working to bring about His perfect plan…in His time, not mine. Now it's a matter of trust. Will I choose to let go and leave it in His hands? Will I choose to trust Him when I don't understand? And will I choose to believe that He has a good and perfect plan that surpasses anything I could imagine? This is a question I may have to ask myself every day in every situation. In my heart I want to so I'm choosing to lay the struggles at His feet. He'll take care of the rest.

What If

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 30, 2025
This is something I have asked myself for a long time. It usually goes something like this: What if I can't pay the bills? What if I get sick and can't take care of myself? What if I'm never free of the pain? You get the picture. I've always been the one on high alert and looking for trouble around every corner waiting for the other shoe to drop. The sad thing is that I didn't know there was another way…until now. Now I choose to look at the glass half full. It's not always easy because I was programmed in the negative for so long. It's a conscious effort to take a hold of those thoughts and turn them around but every time I do, the anxiety and fear is replaced with peace. For example, currently I'm on a flight to California. Never been there. Don't know the people I'm staying with. Everything fits into the category of “the unknown.” Normally I would be in panic mode but I've made the decision to turn the what ifs around from “What if the plane crashes? " to "What if I trust God to get me there safely?” “What if I don't know what to do when I get there and I feel awkward? to "What if I meet some great people who become special friends?” and one more: “What if I don't get what I came for and I return home disappointed? to "What if I am blessed beyond anything I can imagine and leave there better than I came?” As I encourage myself, I encourage you. You can do this. You know why…because God gave us His word and that's all we need. There are many that I hold onto but here are a few: “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Me because he trusts in me.” “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Today is a new day full of what ifs. It all depends how you look at it. What if…

Armor of God

By angela • May 29, 2025
How to Put on the Full Armor of God: A Daily Guide for Every Believer All day, every day, an invisible war rages around us. A cunning, relentless enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters—our minds, emotions, families, and future. But as followers of Jesus Christ, we are not defenseless. We are equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand strong. In Ephesians 6:10–18 , Paul lays out the spiritual armor that God has given us. This post will guide you through how to put on your armor daily , so you're guarded against the attacks of the enemy and able to stand firm in Christ’s victory. Victory Is Already Won Before diving into each piece of armor, remember this: Jesus has already won . When He died on the cross and rose again three days later, He defeated every enemy. We don’t fight for victory—we fight from victory. Our strength and courage come from what Christ has already accomplished. The Belt of Truth The belt holds the entire armor together. Truth grounds us and reminds us of our identity in Christ . 🛡️ How to wear it daily: Start and end your day in God’s Word. Memorize Scripture. Speak truth out loud when Satan attacks. Replace the enemy’s lies with the unshakable truth of Scripture. The Breastplate of Righteousness We have no righteousness of our own. Christ’s righteousness is our covering. 🛡️ How to wear it daily: Live a life rooted in God’s Word. Choose integrity and purity in your daily walk. Protect your heart by killing the flesh and pursuing holiness. The Shoes of Peace Our firm foundation is the Gospel of peace . We are secure in what Jesus has done. 🛡️ How to wear them daily: Be a living example of Christ. Share your testimony and speak hope. Walk confidently knowing your future is secure in Him. The Shield of Faith Faith is what extinguishes the fiery arrows of the enemy. 🛡️ How to lift it daily: Trust in God's promises even when you can't see the outcome. Stay connected to other believers. Remember past victories to fuel your current faith. The Helmet of Salvation This is the most essential piece. Without salvation, there is no battle to fight—and no victory to win. 🛡️ How to wear it daily: Stand confidently in your identity as a child of God. Feed your mind with spiritual truth: listen to sermons, podcasts, and teachings. Be consistent in church attendance and worship. Even in the darkest storms, the certainty of your salvation will be your light and strength. The Sword of the Spirit This is our only offensive weapon —the Word of God. It is powerful, alive, and active. 🛡️ How to wield it daily: Read Scripture consistently. Make it a non-negotiable habit. When attacked, respond with Scripture—just like Jesus did when tempted in the wilderness. On hard days, immerse yourself in the Word. Take extra time if you need it. Let God's truth wash over you. The Power of Prayer Prayer is how we access God's strength. Without it, our armor has no power. Victory comes through prayer. 🛡️ How to pray daily: Pray the moment you open your eyes. Ask for wisdom, strength, and direction. Pray impulsively throughout the day—about anything and everything. Before bed, kneel and have a conversation with your Creator. Give thanks, seek comfort, and align your heart with His. Final Thoughts: Suit Up Daily Although the war has already been won , the daily battle must still be fought. The enemy doesn't take days off—neither should we. Thankfully, we have everything we need. The armor. The sword. The power of prayer. And most importantly, we have the presence of God Himself , who goes before us in every battle.  Suit up, believer. Stand firm. And walk confidently in the victory Christ has already secured for you.